Army says it will withhold 19.6 million from Halliburton citing potential contract breach

[The Count]

The Army announced during a House oversight committee hearing on Wednesday that it would withhold $19.6 million from the Halliburton Company after recently discovering that the contractor had hired the company Blackwater USA to provide armed security guards in Iraq, a potential breach of its government contract.
snip
The announcement came during a hearing of the House Government Oversight Committee that included emotional testimony about the killing of four Blackwater employees in Falluja, Iraq, in 2004.
snip
They said more than $500,000 was smuggled into the United States. “They stole the money in Iraq and then smuggled vast sums into the United States to support lavish lifestyles,” said Mark W. Everson, the Internal Revenue Service commissioner.

More…
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/08/washington/08waxman.html

[SpiralHawk]

1. "I want my War Profits Now" - Dickie Five Deferments Cheney

"Sneer, sneer, sneer." - Dickie "Five -- count 'em 5 - Military Deferments" Cheney

[unpossibles]

2. huh. good for them! n/t

[underpants]

3. Eh yeah the last time they tried this *someone* put the screws to them

as Halliburton threatened to stop providing all services right NOW.

[Robbien]

4. Yeah, I remember that also

We can only hope the situation is a bit better this time around.

[ninkasi]

5. When I read about the staggering amounts

of money stolen by companies like Blackwater and Halliburton, I see money that could have been used for so many other things, instead. Like providing proper equipment for our troops, yes, but for feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, and providing medical care for those who lack it. This whole situation is a perfect example of Republic government in all it's ugly greed. I remember, too, that the top guys profiting the most from ripping off the American taxpayer, are cronies of Bush and Cheney, who have had their own taxes slashed repeatedly.

[Benhurst]

6. Naughty. Naughty. Have they checked this out with Uncle Dick?

[The Count]

7. And that's why Congress says Pelosi is wasting taxpayers' money

They were actually debating this in the House. With a straight face.

[pecwae]

8. Can't see this happening.

All government contracts have breach clauses and in 20 years of federal employment of one type or another I never heard of fines being levied or monies being withheld. If it ever happened I would guess it would be a small minority contractor whose 'good government friends' didn't have a stake in the deal.

[Fermezlabush]

9. K&R.

[indepat]

10. Hopefully, the $19.6 million is not but the tiny-teeny tip of a vast iceberg of fraud, waste,

outright thievery, malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance and breach of contract since this pre-emptive war of shock and awe was launched.

[Ian David]

11. Oooh... $19.6 Million... how will the executives afford to fuel their yachts? n/t

[Fire Walk With Me]

12. Drop in the bucket- remember the $72 million freebie they got?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=halliburton+%2472+million+bonus

[The Count]

13. Maybe, but it's the first immediate effect of Waxman's inquiries and as such

it's of historical importance....
Even if the media won't cover it.

[Pastiche423]

19. Very important point

Henry just got started.

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

14. lol.. 19.6 million; chump change

[zonkers]

15. That's pocket change. The goddam cow's been out of the barn for 6 years. Why close the door now?

[yellowcanine]

16. Good thing you got that barn door closed, guys. Otherwise that little pony might have escaped with

all the horses.

[zann725]

17. 19.6 Million?! That's a drop in the bucket of the Billions Hallib already got/gets.

[nam78_two]

18. K&R.nt

[jazzjunkysue]

20. Like any pyramid scheme, know when to get in and out before it all

starts to smell bad enough to bring in the sheriff.

The trouble with these neocons is there's always one last asshole who wants his payoff, and that's the one that gets them all busted.

They just can't stop the pillaging.

[Kingshakabobo]

21. Yawn. Take it out of petty cash.

"Call accounting a requisition a couple pounds of that cash stored in the locker."

[Thor_MN]

22. $19.6M a minor writeoff to legitmize the billions stolen

They would consider that a cost of doing business if it distracts from their funding. A magician's flourish to divert attention from the money flowing into their backpockets.

[classysassy]

23. Unca Dick

head not going to like that.