Political Cortex: Another Official Blocked Contractor Fraud Cases?

Another Official Blocked Contractor Fraud Cases?

By D Cupples
09/27/2007 07:15:54 PM EST

Two things: 1) laws are only as good as the enforcers, and 2) every tax dollar that goes toward fraud is one less dollar for legitimate government needs. According to attorney Alan Grayson -- who represents whistleblowers in contractor fraud cases -- former Justice Department supervisor Peter Keisler repeatedly failed to take action against contractors reportedly involved in fraud. Truthout's Matt Renner reports:

"Grayson said Keisler has purposely delayed investigations into Iraq contractor fraud because of Keisler's political allegiance to the Bush administration. Keisler has refused to prosecute whistleblower lawsuits because Bush 'does not want more bad news coming out of Iraq,' Grayson said, adding 'to have an entire class of cases treated this way is truly unprecedented....'
"Keisler was appointed by President Bush...."

"to serve as the acting attorney general after Alberto Gonzales resigned in September. In July 2003, Keisler, became the assistant attorney general in charge of the civil division, roughly three months after the invasion of Iraq.... The civil division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is tasked with enforcing contract fraud laws and investigating whistleblower complaints....
"Under Keisler's leadership, the DOJ civil division has refused to join any whistleblower suits against Iraq war contractors."

Recent reports suggest that Bush Administration officials have not been diligently protecting us taxpayers from fraud and abuse.

According to the MSM, for example, State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard reportedly blocked investigations into contractor fraud in Iraq. A few days ago, the House Oversight committee found evidence that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has not fostered cooperation re: probes into Blackwater USA, a contractor under investigation for overcharging the taxpayers, killing Iraqi civilians, and smuggling weapons.

Though Congress passed laws two years ago to overhaul Pentagon contracting procedures, congressional hearings last week indicate that Pentagon officials have done little to monitor contractors and prevent contractor fraud.

The posts linked below (from another blog) evince widespread and ongoing problems with contractor waste, fraud and abuse -- and it's not just defense contractors, but that's another story....

Contractor Blackwater in Hot Water Again

Inspector General Blocked Investigations?

Have U.S. Officials Protected Blackwater?

Gov. Contractors: Driving up War's Costs?