US official admits Iraq aid theft

[alonzomourning23]

In the United States, a former official has admitted stealing millions of dollars meant for the reconstruction of Iraq.



Robert Stein held a senior position in the Coalition Provisional Authority, which administered Iraq after American and allied forces invaded in 2003.

In a Washington court, he admitted to stealing more than $2m (£1.12m) and taking bribes in return for contracts.

He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Robert Stein's story is one of extraordinary corruption and excess amid the ruins of Iraq.

He was in charge of overseeing money for the rebuilding of shattered infrastructure in south-central Iraq in 2003 and 2004.

Suitcases of cash

Mr Stein admitted in court to conspiring to give out contracts worth $8m to a certain company in return for bribes.

He also received gifts and sexual favours lavished on him at a special villa in Baghdad.

But it didn't stop there.

Robert Stein admitted to stealing $2m from reconstruction funds.

Some of that money, the court heard, was smuggled onto aircraft and flown back to the United States in suitcases.

The case is an ugly twist in the tale of post-war Iraq.

The Coalition Provisional Authority, which ceased to exist in 2004, has already endured some tough criticism over the way it managed funds and handed out contracts.

A report from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction on how the authority went about its business is expected in the coming weeks. The signs are it could make embarrassing reading for many of those involved.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4675902.stm

 

[mykevermin]

$2m is a paltry sum compared to what's been allocated to be spent in Iraq. Consider me underwhelmed.

 

[MrBadExample]

[quote name='mykevermin']$2m is a paltry sum compared to what's been allocated to be spent in Iraq. Consider me underwhelmed.[/QUOTE]
Maybe he and his 4,499 closest friends are responsible for the missing $9 billion in Iraq. :lol:

 

[Kayden]

Dishonest politicians!? :shock:

 

[mykevermin]

Well, that's the missing money, which makes no accounting for the wasted money.

 

[1modernboy]

Not so much surprised he took the scratch as I am that he was actually called to task for it.

 

[E-Z-B]

I hope Halliburton is next.

 

[soulvengeance]

That's just sad. People's greed knows no bounds.

 

[Mike23]

[quote name='mykevermin']$2m is a paltry sum compared to what's been allocated to be spent in Iraq. Consider me underwhelmed.[/QUOTE]

Too bad you're not Canadian.

Of the $355 million set aside in the sponsorship program to boost federalism in Quebec...$1 million in under-the-table kickbacks and $800,000 in official donations -- which was used illegally to fight elections.

We do corruption right.

 

[Trancendental]

I wonder how much sexual depravity 2 million buys in Baghdad.

 

[bmulligan]

Well, at least the ho's are probably getting paid for it now. Under Saddam they probably had to give it up for free.


This is a great story. It shows that the Iraqi authorities are taking responsibility for their own country and are standing for justice instead of being taken advantage of as has historically been the case. It's an example of the benefits of self-governance and Iraqi nationalistic initiative.

Too bad the BBC didn't go into any detail at all about exactly who is investigating, how they found out, and any of the companies and others involved.