I am a little disappointed with the AP’s title on this article. “Iraq Contractor”? They really sugar coated this one!! Let’s call it what it is. It’s KBR plain and simple!! Read this article and then I will follow up with three KBR criminal experiences of my very own!! That’s right folks. Criminals working for KBR is not all that uncommon. I wonder if the DoD knows that?
Iraq contractor gets 3 years in child porn case
10/10/2008, 12:44 p.m. PDT
By MATTHEW BARAKAT
The Associated Press
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A federal judge rejected arguments Friday from a former civilian contractor in Iraq who said his sentence for possessing child pornography should be lighter to more closely align with what military personnel would face.
Ira L. Waltrip, who drove a bus in Iraq for Houston-based contractor KBR Inc., was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 41 months in prison.
His lawyer argued the term was unfair because Waltrip was doing the same work and taking the same risks in Iraq as would a soldier. He also said military personnel convicted of similar crimes in courts martial typically receive far lighter sentences.
But U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III said contractors should be treated differently, in part because they receive much higher pay.”He wasn’t there because he had volunteered” to serve his country, Ellis said. “He was there to get some money.”
Waltrip, who served 13 years in the Army before being honorably discharged in 1990, was making $7,000 a month as a bus driver for KBR.
Prosecutor Jerry Smagala said Waltrip’s case is “a run-of-the-mill child pornography possession case that happened to take place in Baghdad.” He said a lighter sentence wasn’t warranted simply because the crimes took place in a combat zone.
Federal public defender Richard McWilliams had cited similar courts martial in which defendants received a year or less of confinement. He said Waltrip should be sentenced as though he were a military member because the military heavily relies on contractors to do dangerous jobs in Iraq.
KBR had fired Waltrip in January 2006 from a contract job at the Al Asad Air Base in Iraq after he was discovered with a collection of pornography that appeared to contain images depicting minors. No charges were filed.
Despite that, KBR rehired Waltrip in December 2006. He was still working for KBR in Iraq in April when he was again discovered with a suspected cache of child pornography, leading to his conviction and sentence on Friday. He was no longer working for KBR when he was charged in May.
KBR has said it made a mistake in rehiring Waltrip. (End of Article)
A mistake?? That’s just too funny. It’s not their only mistake. As a matter of fact, I think KBR only calls them mistake when they get caught!!
Criminal Experience #1 – I worked in the Green Zone for KBR from July 2004-July 2006. We had a female Labor Foreman whose name we learned later was an alias. She had been working for KBR in the Laundry for several months when she was transferred to the Palace. She somehow finagled her way into the good graces of the Department of State Office of Protocol in Iraq. She was to be the KBR Liaison to the Office of Protocol. In this position she would very possibly have had contact with the US Ambassador, Foreign Diplomats, high level US Government officials and so on. You had to have a clearance to work at the US Embassy, so they ran her finger prints and did a back ground check. Low and behold, Constance Pav***ni was an alias. I did not ever find out what her real name was. She had outstanding warrants in the US. The State Department wanted to know just how this happened. As usual KBR disavowed any knowledge. She was immediately sent back to the States and I am of the understanding she was met at the airport by members of law enforcement.
Criminal Experience #2 – I was personally assaulted by another KBR electrician. On the job at the US Embassy in Baghdad. KBR performed one of their cursory bogus investigations and in the end did nothing. This person was high all time and I told my boss about it but it was no big deal, he was one of the “good ole boys”. He was later fired for not returning from R&R in Thailand on time. He was about two weeks late. Rumor has it, his room was filled with contraband such as drugs, weapons and so on. I seriously doubt charges were filed. Too much work for KBR.
Criminal Experience #3 – This is my favorite. We had this KBR guy who would go to Thailand on just about every R&R. He would brag to his buddies about buying little girls! Some of his own co-workers had to tell him no more Thailand stories. I didn’t want to talk to him at all. HR knew about this guy and did nothing. He was disgusting. Evidently he got caught in the Green Zone with a young Iraqi girl in his truck. I believe it was by the Military. He was being investigated by KBR. Before he could be sent home he quit and went to work for PAE at the new US Embassy in the Green Zone. I’m not sure who in the military found out that he was still in the Green Zone, but they banned him from the Green Zone. PAE fired him. Now this is the best part, KBR rehired him and sent him to another camp. I’ll bet he is still doing his R&R’s in Thailand. I’m sure that all the little girls in Thailand thank KBR for that!!
We all know about the people that get caught breaking laws, like pimping out the Filipino women, stealing, raping, assaulting and they either get secretly sent home or moved to another camp. Criminal charges rarely get filed unless the Military gets involved.
So, just how many criminals are hiding in Iraq as KBR employees?
Do you have “criminal” stories from you Camp…tell me tell me!
Ms Sparky
With the job situation here at home why would they have to hire or keep employed these low life’s.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
For the money. KBR gets paid a handsome sum for each person they send over. Until recently with the electricians, there was no incentive or advantage for them to hire “hi-life’s”.
I do want to add. These three examples are just my personal experiences at ONE camp. I know other crimes were committed at my camp which was Camp Hope in the Green Zone. What else went on there and the rest of Iraq and Afghanistan?
You were stuck over there with criminals. Wasn’t Jamie Lee Jones gang raped over there? OMFG I can’t believe you were assaulted and nothing was done about it.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I was in the same camp when Jamie’s was raped and assaulted. She is very brave. If KBR wouldn’t protect Jamie, just who would they protect?
Hey, every criminal in this world, if they are employed, worked for someone. We’re talking about a huge freaking company. It stands to reason that at least some of the employees will act out when given an opportunity. Has little to nothing to do with the employer.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Really….so it’s OK to rehire these people after they have committed these crimes. We’re talking child porn and accused pedophiles. That’s an interesting take on it.
OK, the only statement I have is as follows. KBR Says they do a background check which we know to be as bogus. They turn a blind eye often. But there are decent people who work for the company, they just work for an awful company that only cares about the bottom line (money)
I will state that I put my life on the line every day there, without access to so much as a knife to defend myself should something have happened to me. So I did go over there, I was not in the military, BUT what I did supported them. Do I agree that the guy went over for money, probably it is a huge incentive to go, but he probably went to avoid persecution. Just my opinion. He knew it would take them longer to catch him if he could make it to Iraq.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I think the thing that bothers me the most is that KBR fired him for possessing child porn and then rehired him. They knew he was participating in criminal activities. WTF!!! It happens more than KBR will admit!
Hi there. I’m in the process of applying for overseas work with KBR, and am a little curious about the background check they put you through. I read that if you have had a warrant in the past 7 years, your ineligible for employment.
I had a warrant a few years ago for a bounced check, which I paid off immediately. Is something as simple as this grounds for ineligibility?
I could understand what Ms Sparky’s is saying about what these sick people are doing with these little children it just makes me f….. pissed that this still goes on . and they get rehired to work in iraq . Here i am a journeyman wireman for the union trying to get a job over thier and it is so hard . all i want is to go and work to make a better living for my family and they would not except my union license . but i am able to use this license any where in the united states .lol that really gets to me.. as for the mr electric you will be able to go . i had to wait for a 7 year clearence from the last day of my parole which i have been clean for 18 years .not even a ticket .hu i guess we have to have a resent crime to get hired . I wish you luck Mr Electric and keep you in my prayers on your journey.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Just keep bugging KBR, Fluor, Dyncorp, CSA, IAP
Everyone has a past and if you’ve done your time and your clean and changed your attitude and realized you made a mistake you might be o.k… except if your dealing with crimes against people as with the rape and kiddy porn.History does repeat it self and that’s a fact.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I agree. Once a pedophile always a pedophile.
Here’s one for you! I talked to the RSO at the Embassy to find out why we as Americans first and KBR employees second we are not allowed inside the embassy compound and his exact words were that all KBR has to do is a background check, not the one we got in Houston, but a real background check we that pass the check can go in, but he also said that if KBR were to do this check probably 30 to 40 percent of the people would not pass it and have to be sent home!! The only way we as KBR can go into the embassy is the back way and then we have to find an escort if we want to go to the very nice PX they have. SAD!!
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I had friends in the IZ (Green Zone) and said KBR wasn’t allowed to go into the US Embassy. I thought that was weird. But now it all makes sense. There should be a huge “loss of confidence” in KBR’s back ground checks and issuance of CAC cards. They were audited by the DoD and it didn’t go well for them. The Department of State runs the Embassies and they do their own VERY in depth security checks. It’s not just Iraq. I was working in Beijing with a Top Secret clearance and I still couldn’t just walk into the US Embassy. Security at ALL US Embassies if very tight.
It sucks that the PX is on the Embassy grounds in Baghdad. Where do you get the stuff you need.
The Embassy doesn’t need a bunch contractor types posing as tourist. What business could a any contractor possibly have besides screwing in a light bulb or cleaning the crapper.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Well….there are passport issues. And when Jamie Jones was being held against her will by KBR it took Embassy officials to get her out of there. Also, the only PX. They should at least have access to the PX and the Chancery/Consulate office and by all means the Embassy Store!!
And I am one of the “light bulb screwer inner” people. It’s harder than you think!!
At least some was proactive in helping an American citizen who really needed help. My questions. How did the embassy receive word some was being held against their will.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It is my understanding that while Jamie Jones was being held in some sort of a container unit after her rape, she was able to talk one of the Security Guards into letting her use his cell phone. She called her father in the States who then contacted one of their State Representatives. They contacted the State Department and they helped her get out of Iraq.
That’s one for Security for doing the right thing.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I hear that. I’m sure KBR fired him or at the very least reprimanded him at some level.
I was just wondering what type of back ground check does kbr do and what kind of offence will stop a person for going to work over seas and on a passport where it says type on my passport it has a p does anyone know what that means i know this question sounds stupid but i would like to know ..Thank You Freddog
freddog, KBR is now doing SF85’s which is an actual government background check going back 7 years or longer. Anyone who has a CAC card going out this year has to fill one out which means KBR will lose a lot of people just for not being able to pass a check. Here’s the RIF.
yeah, official backround checks are on, but no one knows yet the effect. Or what ahppens if your clearence is denied, It should be a great way to reduce the work force, other than hat and laynard rules. It just a shame some will be protected and over looked while other will be held..”accountable” (new KBR Quailty slogan) with threats of 5-7 days off, i dont know why we aren’t just sent to bed without dinner..or offered incentives, not threats, the so called new or re vamped “QCP’ is failed, before it even gets started…unless of course you are a front line supervisor.then..under the bus you go..go….goodnight
COOL! I wonder if management will run on themselves?
GO on line its a free download! SF85’s are a SCAM they are complete BULLSHIT and worthless. Which KBR manger thought of this? It does not address the criminal background the issue. Is the DOD not doing their job again. Don’t me call the Whitehouse.
Another KBR SCAM! This is even weaker than the forms we filled out in Houston. I want their heads on a platter! Starting with Lushinger and his boss!
FORM SF85
http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/sf86a.pdf
Your stories are full of assumptions and conjecture. It looks to me like you just don’t like this company for some reason. One thing I’d like to point out is that a background check cannot predict bahavior. Scott Peterson and Casey Anthony and Ted Bundy would all have passed a background check up until the day before their arrests.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
My stories are based on personal experience. There is nothing to assume.
The following is your assumption, isn’t it?
“Ms Sparky’s Response:
I hear that. I’m sure KBR fired him or at the very least reprimanded him at some level.”
This is what you said about the unnamed ‘guard’ that you claim made a phone available to this woman. But you don’t state it as fact, you say that, it is your ‘understanding’ that this happened.
Also you redacted the name of the person in the first story, ‘Constance Pav***ni’. If it’s a true story, why not provide the name, that it can be verified?
Is it helpful to slander this company in this way? I don’t see the point of this. It seems like you are a disgruntled former employee who is consumed with slandering this company. I don’t mean to come off as harsh, but what is your motivation for this website?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Are you one of the criminals I have written about? Out of all these posts…that’s ALL you see is “a former disgruntled employee”? You are either as blind as a bat, looking for a job or you already work for KBR. You prove to me that the security tech was not reprimanded in any way. And I redacted her name because I could remember exactly how to spell it. And, I am not a former disgruntled employee. I am a former disgusted employee. I didn’t even start blogging about KBR until I found out they were electrocuting soldiers in the shower and that was two years after I had been home. Don’t ASSUME you know anything about me or my agenda!
The total purpose for this site (notice no advertising) is gathering information for investigating committees and plaintiffs and anyone else who feels they have been wronged in someway by KBR or another DoD contractor. And there is no charge for that either. I have no suit, no book…..
Hey Bob,
I was in Iraq and Kuwait working for KBR.I have been mortared,rocketed,threatened,assaulted and battered.I have never met the author of this blog,dont even know her name but I will tell you this:every thing on here is 100 percent accurate,things were bad enough for the guys over there,myself included.Any woman that spent any time overseas working for these ridiculous,cretinous loathsome mouth-breathers has my undying respect.I just bet that the IP address on that computer of yours is from good ol Houston,TX.
How ’bout it….’Bob’?
Thanks Barry!!
Bob Sacamano;
The thing about KBR background checks is they only go back seven years in your state of residence and KBR never calls to verify one’s past employmet. Recuiters by law are not supposed to ask certain questions;only Dates of employment, Salary and would you consider re-hiring this individual.
If the former emplyoyer chooses to talk then so be it.The Wabi test was supposed to supplement this, of course KBR stopped this practice more than once because of the exceptionally high failure rateamong its applicants.
Ms Sparky,
I also have worked and spent 4 years in Iraq and 1 year in Afghanistan with KBR.
I have many bad and some good things to say about them.
About Bob Sacamano’s remarks; Either he has never worked for them or was in one of the BLIND EYE managers.
I, as do thousands of others understand what your motivation for this website is. To have the TRUTH come out.
I have worked as a supervisor and above since I was hired. I can not tell you how many times I was taken to HR for counsleing for refusing to do shoddy work. I have never had a problem with the saying ” like hell we are going to do it like that”.
Always caused me grief but my team always respected me for that.
I have also worked with all of the other foreign nationals including local nationals.
A mojority of those personal are some of the greatest guys (and we stay in contact) but just like EX PATS there are some real loosers.
I now work for Fluor and am very satisfied wth the way they do business. They have REAL engineers that ask the guys in the field and have weekly telecom links for EVERYONE to join in from the field with the engineers in Greenville.
I have friends (Expats and TCN’s) that went to work for Dyncorp and were sent to Kandahar AFG.
) in the Same dept are DEMOBing Monday over the pay issue.
In other departments (with Dyncorp) at KAF they are looseing 3 to 5 personal this next week and no telling how many will follow suit in the near future.
I have friends that are working for ITT and they love it.
KBR needs and is warranted the BAD RAP they have got for they have earned it.
I also know that it is not just the LEESVILLE gang because if you are a former Marine and are in Afghanistan then Jim Luchsinger will put you right in a management position even though you have no qualification.
Every Company has its own set of problems and alot of the same problems. It all comes down to people working as a TEAM from managment on down.
SF 85 comment;
The Army contracting office set up the mandatory SF85 and SF 86 for all contractors.
Yes, it is true they only go back 7 years but this is part of the background investation is done by the FBI and not the company you work for. This is a new process that was implemented for LOGCAP 4. It is a long drawn out process for the system has many bugs in it right now just as any new system does. The FBI snail mails an inquire to everyone that you put down for a referance and then it all depends when they get them all back before they check with the local law inforcement and sheriffs dept.
Just from your SSN they can tell everything about you (and don’t think it is NOT in their system either — BIG BROTHER WATCHING)and they even look at your credit rating.
That makes it bad if you are a EXPAT living in another country (I live in Turkey).
They already know almost everything about you but this is the process that was set forth so a paper-work trail is in a file somewhere.
It does not matter if you had a security clearance or not — New rules say that every new/old personal will have a new one done. This means that if you worked for KBR and took a new job with either Dyncorp or Fluor that after your 1st R&R you will have to report to the company recruting center and go through the process. That is not to say that the company can not have put in your SF 85 or 86 and all of the other nessessary paperwork so you are not stuck ?n the USA and really screw up your taxes.
It’s nice know someone out there has the “huevos” to talk about Lushinger. KBR was well known for hiring non-licensed engineers after the ones who had credentials left. They also rehired some so-called “Cad Designers” from the A-Stan project. One of which was terminated for drinking at FOB Salerno…Mike Chaffee from Alaska was name. What a thieving hack. I was also informed maybe 3 of the 20 Cad Designers in the Iraqi could actually be called designers. More Hacks! If you have wondered about the poor design quality aside from the sub standard construction, now you know. I would hesitant of using the term “real engineers” unless they can produce the certification or a wet stamp. Stationary and Combat Engineers don’t count either in the real world as P.E.’s.
There were several unlicensed folks proclaiming themselves as engineers on the Project, some have engineering degrees but do not qualify for the license and there were some that couldn’t spell the word engineer but are supreme A$$ kissers. Amber H. and Dana H. come to mind. The PE governing body can sanction and fine a company for this but nothing can be done until someone documents and reports it to them, each state has a chapter and the professional engineers licensing organization does take this seriously.
Finally, someone has spoken the truth. Most of the staff probably doesn’t have a degree to start with. I have noticed Management likes to keep “eye candy” with distance. I don’t know these two but that was that standard rule. This is a dis-service to qualified women engineers. I can even say I know of Iraq KBR site manager who used his stateside contacts instead of the staff for the more serious projects.
I know as much about KBR and DI as anyone on this blog. I bitch and moan, too.
But don’t forget that we can quit and go home anytime something happens that we don’t like, is unjust, crooked, inefficient, just plain dumb…whatever.
No one is forcing us to stay.
Yes…you are correct. People can just take it or leave and shut up and put up. But one thing to keep in mind. These are NOT privately funded contractors. These contractors are paid for by US tax dollars and they are supposed to be taking care of our soldiers….our husbands and wives…our children. We can either keep our mouths shut about what is going on or we can voice our observations and experiences for others to compare and share. You can either be a member of the silent majority or work together to force effective change. Either way the choice is an individual one.
I have to take Issue with the ‘bitch and moan’ thing.Free citizens of a democratic society have every right to work in an environment free from abuse,harassment and intimidation.The people outside the wire shooting rockets and dropping mortars down on our heads were one thing I was prepared for-the prison mentality pervasive inside the camps was not something I would have believed had I not experienced It first hand.
We live in a free society,not a totalitarian police state,not the mini fiefdoms I saw while overseas.I thank God people are being held accountable.Speaking out is our right.It’s alot easier to blame the person with the courage to stand up and speak out than to try and correct a warped,rotten culture of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil….
Well said Barry. Too many of those that are upset are not willing to stand up to those in charge. That is a shame and if this ’silent majority’ remains truly silent then those in charge remain in charge and things continue on as they are now.
Feudal law re: Fiefdom
In the European feudal system, military duties performed in return for tenures of land. The military service might be required for wars or expeditions or merely for riding and escorting services or guarding the castle. To obtain such service, a lord could either enfeoff (grant a fief to) one man for direct and personal service or enfeoff someone who would bring with him other knights. The number of knights supplied usually bore some relation to the size of the fief.
Has any anybody in KBR or the others been knighted or are they self appointed? I prefer to think of the chopping block instead.
I was Knighted by Sir Arthur Lange.