We're being had by the * admin; fraud crackdown is a joke, doesn't apply to work overseas

[babylonsister]

Fraud crackdown comes with a loophole

By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer Tue Feb 12, 6:35 PM ET

WASHINGTON - A Bush administration plan to crack down on contract fraud has a multibillion-dollar loophole: The proposal to force companies to report abuse of taxpayer money will not apply to work overseas, including projects to secure and rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan.

For decades, contractors have been asked to report internal fraud or overpayment on government-funded projects. Compliance has been voluntary, and over the past 15 years the number of company-reported fraud cases has declined steadily.

Now, the Justice Department wants to force companies to notify the government if they find evidence of contract abuse of more than $5 million. Failure to comply could make a company ineligible for future government work.

The proposed rules, which are in the final approval stages, specifically exempt "contracts to be performed outside the United States," according to a notice published last month in the Federal Register.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080212/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/contract_fraud;_ylt=AiabqCPABEzdFKvhxatccDas0NUE

[Serial Mom]

1. Oh NO!!! Fraud crackdown is a fraud?!?!?!?

This really surprises me coming from the dubya misadministration!

:sarcasm:

[Solly Mack]

2. all that "lost" money couldn't get "lost" so easily without

protection

lost money - defined as tax dollars appropriated (lost, moved around, services rendered by not delivered) for the miscellaneous (shit happens) cost of doing business (whatever government claims is government business)

Or "Can the hand steal from the foot?" - when a government worker or contractor "allocates" (steals, swindles) and "repositions"(takes home, places in own bank account or pocket, or gives to others) a government asset (money, equipment, services) for personal use/gain.

See? Now don't you feel better about it all now?

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Now convince me that Congress is not complicit in this fraud

Then, for extra credit, convince me that this fraud is not treason because it is not giving aid and comfort to our nation's enemies.