Jo Frederiksen went to work in Iraq for Halliburton’s Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) in July 2003. Jo relied on KBR’s reassurances that US laws applied and that KBR had an “unwavering commitment to employee safety” as deciding factors in accepting their employment offer.
Jo experienced inappropriate touching, stalking, intimidation and verbal harassment by her male co-workers not only in her work place but in her KBR living quarters as well. Jo reported this sexual harassment by James Seton, Daryl Johnson and Justin Cooper to her Project Manager Jeff Uribe. Jeff Uribe then reported Jo’s complaints to the perpetrators in advance, breaking the confidentiality that Jo was entitled to and subjecting Jo to an even more hostile environment. Jo was actively intimidated and/or her name slandered by Gabe Andino, Bruce Chirinko, David Stallard, Scott Mount, and Wade Wingate, among others, for reporting the vile behavior and the treatment she endured while just trying to fulfill her job duties.
Furthermore, in addition to her own harassment which she reported, Jo became aware of rampant illicit criminal behavior (including prostitution and human trafficking by Halliburton/KBR management personnel). It was known that Bruce Chirinko and many other male employees often frequented a brothel in Thailand. Oftentimes, this brothel, despite being in direct violation of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 22.17, was utilized by many at the direction and encouragement of Defendants’ managers. Upon information and belief, the brothel Towne Lodge and its adjacent bar called Toxic is/was owned, in whole or in part, by John Reddy, another manager for KBR in Iraq. This lack of oversight toward this criminal behavior, prostitution and human trafficking, only lends credence and support to a morally and ethically corrupt environment.
Company officials allegedly transferred her to a remote, dangerous internment facility, and then promoted some of the culprits. Jo Frederiksen says she feared for her life while working for KBR in Baghdad, Iraq, because sexual harassment was rampant in the KBR network, particularly in the living quarters she shared with male employees.
“Jo voiced her concerns many times regarding the co-ed facilities and lack of safety and privacy relating to her living space,” according to the complaint filed in Harris County Court. “When Jo attempted to report her concerns to her superiors or KBR investigators, she was seen as a problem.”
Frederiksen says she was forced to resign because she felt the workplace was no longer safe for her or other female employees. If KBR had taken Jo’s concerns seriously maybe Jamie Jones, Dawn Leamon and others would not have had to endure their brutal rapes.
Jo first took her complaints to the EEOC and they in turn gave her the right to sue.
Jo Frederiksen is represented by L. Todd Kelly of Houston and Nathan Hardee of League City, Texas.
I have paid for a certified copy of the complaint and you can have it for free right HERE
Now for the the important stuff….where are these KBR employees/mangers named in this suit currently working?
Jeff Uribe - KBR Project Manager. Last known Fluor in Human Resources. Is there anyone else here that is laughing their freaking ass off besides me? WTF!!
John Reddy – Last known KBR Project Manager/Deputy Project Manager. Verified by email from a current Town Lodge co-owner that John Reddy was a partner during that time. I had emailed the Town Lodge as a KBR employee asking about John’s establishment and they actually referred me to Bruce Chirinko and Michael Peck to get my questions answered. Michael Peck is a KBR attorney that must not be familiar with the FAR. It is possible that John MAY have sold his interest in the Town Lodge/Toxic Bar & Lounge as recently as June 30, 2009. My Thai Private Investigator is still working on that.
Gabe Andino - Last known KBR Project Manager. Gabe was one of my PM’s. Hmmm now I wonder what he was saying after I left his office. Is he still working for KBR?
Bruce Chirinko – Last known KBR Project Manager
David Stallard - KBR Project Manager at B-Sites. Click HERE for an email appearing to announce his promotion to PM. (The authenticity of the email announcement has not been verified) Updated 7-10-2009
Scott Mount – KBR Project Manager. Last known DynCorp.
Wade Wingate – KBR Deputy Project Manager. Last known DynCorp.
James Seaton -KBR QA/QC/Site manager. Last known Fluor in Mosul?
Daryl Johnson -KBR bus driver? Last known?
Justin Cooper – KBR labor foreman? Last known?
Is anyone else seeing that the majority of alleged offenders here are KBR MANAGERS!!!!
If you have any information about any of the the people listed above leave a comment or email me.
Ms Sparky
If justice is ever served KBR, Blackwater, and Halliburton and their sponsoring politicians will face numerous criminal charges. There are so many aspects of their operations that turn the truth and justice completely upside down and shake it.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I couldn’t agree with you more!
Regardless of the judicial outcome of the lawsuit, it does however prove one point. Any American regardless of where they are employed stateside or overseas (Iraq or Afghanistan) or any other theatre of operations is still legally bound by U.S. criminal law. Just ask the military contracting office in Bagram, Afghanistan.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
If you can just get them to enforce it. Is it just me or is the CID dragging their feet on just about everything. Can anyone name one civilian arrest arising from a CID investigation?
According to KBR Global email Daryl Johnson:
Pod-B Bldg 1 Rm 1A 713-970-3632.Same person?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Could be.
I hope your group will file official requests with the Department of Justice requesting investigations of all the criminal acts you are aware of.
You can start by emailing criminal.division@usdoj.gov
If they do not respond timely then the victims could file under the justice for all act of 2004, expressing the crimes and the lack of prosecution and asking for relief from the criminal acts.
I’m doing the same regarding the crimes seen at http://www.judgesquotes.blogspot.com
I wish I could contact them for you but I have vision of 4/200 in one eye, and y’all have so much more knowledge than I do regarding this.
Thanks to all of you for fighting the great evils that seem to be free to do whatever criminal acts they want to while the U.S. Government does very little or nothing.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It can be so confusing to know who to contact. The CID, the DODIG, the DOJ. A little guidance here would be appreciated.
The more I read blogs and post on your website. The more I realize just how corrupt alot of these contractor companies are. Please allow me to share a situation that was brought to my attention by a subordinate employee in confidence. She shared with me that her (our) Manager sent her several text messages inviting her to his residence. After declining his advances she shared she felt she was being singled out and mistreated. For example the Supervisor adjusted her schedule to accomodate her transportation resources. Once the Manager saw this, it was changed back to what was indentified as difficult to fullfill. Next, as a Local Hire she is required to provide her own transportation to the workplace. She was riding with other Local Hires assigned to the same section. She was told by her Supervisor she was not allowed to ride with other Local Hires and she needed to purchase her own vehicle! She is terrified to say anything to anyone because she fears she will be terminated. I can’t say that I disagree. This is the way most employees here feel. I’m sorry, I have sisters, neices, aunts, etc. To know this type of UNETHICAL, UNPROFESSIONAL, IMMORAL, behavior runs so rampant in this day and age is downright outrageous!
Ms Sparky’s Response:
These perpetrators rely on the fact that the women MUST have this job and will keep quiet. This must be reported. Document everything. Keep the text messages. Keep any emails he sends. Keep a daily log of assignment changes, conversations, remarks everything. The first step in ending this kind of harassment is documentation and reporting. I would think the DoD and the company in question would get tired of learning about these situations from the news media or lawsuits or Congress. The DoD needs to “man up” and put a stop to it. They need to have systems in place to protect the victims from being persecuted after reporting. I would contact the DoDIG hotline as well. There is a link to that on the left side bar is my site.
Let me know if I can help any further.
“Scott Mount – KBR Project Manager. Last known DynCorp.
Wade Wingate – KBR Deputy Project Manager. Last known DynCorp.”
Are you kidding? In the past,these two individuals have gone out of their way to protect their employees. I have personally observed Scott Mount locking the heels of the client for abusing KBR employees in Bosnia.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
OK. I believe you.
Jimbo, you must be kidding me!!! unless you are part of the redneck, Leesville LA mafia then you would never have been protected. The very idea that Mount would have protected anyone from the client thereby jeapordizing the awards fees is crazy. I worked for a company that did work with them when Mount and Wingate were the two geniuses in charge. The Army hated them as much as the employees did.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks for that personal insight. I find it hard to believe that any manager would go toe to toe with the client to protect an employee unless they were buddies or the employee had dirt on the manager. JMHO
Jimbo and Iraqobserver
I extend my dearest sympathies, if you’ve ever met or had to work with any of the infamous “Leesville LA. Mafia.” They were basically run off from Kandahar in 2004. They were the biggest bunch of two faced back stabbing kiss ass cockroaches I ever met. They do protect their own and that’s a fact. Watch out for the fake Cajun accent, it’s a set-up to gain your confidence to get you fired so they can advance.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
This statement applies to so many. Can I use it elsewhere? “two faced back stabbing kiss ass cockroaches”
“Iraqobserver said,on July 5th, 2009 at 11:59 am Jimbo, you must be kidding me!!! unless you are part of the redneck, Leesville LA mafia then you would never have been protected. The very idea that Mount would have protected anyone from the client thereby jeapordizing the awards fees is crazy. I worked for a company that did work with them when Mount and Wingate were the two geniuses in charge. The Army hated them as much as the employees did.”
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By that comment, it is obvious that you never worked in the Balkans. I have written many times about the changes that took place from LogCap2 to LogCap3. We weren’t crazy back then, we were focused professionals, (and I’m not from Leesville).
In reference to the incident in question: I was returning to Comanche Base in Bosnia with my nurse. The “client” decided that it was time to do a “Super-Secret Search” of my nurse. They ran the metal-detector wand up her leg to her vagina. I went off on those POS guards, then I called Scott Mount,and we went to the Mayor Cell. Scott jumped into the Commander and the Sergeant of the Guard’s a$$ with both feet….and NO, my nurse was not passing sexual favors.
LogCap3 and the company you see today is the end result of poor hiring practices of the company. Many of the old-timers were forced out of the company by the gimmee-gimmee crowd- those who hired on to see how much they could fill their pockets with prior to moving on. Those are the people who ruined a good company and urinated in your Wheaties.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
KBR Managers ruined it for everyone. Now they have screwed around and cost themselves Afghanistan.
“Run with the Devil said,on July 5th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I extend my dearest sympathies, if you’ve ever met or had to work with any of the infamous “Leesville LA. Mafia.” They were basically run off from Kandahar in 2004.”
I knew Wade Wingate, Scott Mount, Wayne Woodham, and several others who may or may not fit that description, but I never had an issue with them. Perhaps it was because I was their health care provider.
Some of the real dirtbag backstabbers were Tom Woods, John Downey, Kel Kaercher, and they weren’t from Leesville.
Wil Harless was in charge of Qandahar when I was there in ‘03-04 timeframe. IIRC, Jesse James took his place when Wil transfered to K2.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Maybe the term “Leesville Mafia” is now being coined to regard any and all alleged unscrupulous KBR managers.
You must remember the security guard, who was fired for stealing personal possessions such as a flashlight from the first KBR employee who died in his sleep at Qandahar.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
What a bastard!! Was he rehired?? That’s normally how it goes.
I had heard many bad things about the “Leesville Mafia” either you were in or you were out.
One thing that NO ONE has mentioned is how many secret society members there were that would drag along all of their cronies because of the secret handshake or lapel pin. I am of course talking about the Freemasons!! No one talks about them but I know for a fact that a whole lot of these guys (not implying any particular person) were Freemasons. My great Uncle was a Shriner (one of the higher levels of the Freemasons) and when he passed on I received dozens of his tie pins, lapel pins and a couple of different books about them. I cannot tell you how many times I was “braced” with the secret body position and fingers in the pockets (have to admit, do not know that much about them, but from my meager understanding, there were lots of guys who were definitely asking me in their secret “code” if I were a Mason.) Please do not take this the wrong way, I believe the Freemasons are a good group who do a lot of charity for the community, it is just that they put the interests of their own above all others so they could easily move up the ladder. That is not right, especially in a volatile place like Iraq.
crazedchef
Ms Sparky’s Response:
People have a tendency to gravitate towards people with similar beliefs and backgrounds. I am a member of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers). I think we gravitated towards each other in Iraq. That was our common bond. I am also a member of SOBB (Secret Order of Bitches without Borders). One member can tell when another member is within 100 feet and then they just start trash talking them. I think the entire Order ended up in Iraq at the same time.
I hear there were lots of lonely wives in Leesville at the time…revenge anyone? hahahaha
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That would only be fair. How many trips to Thailand have been taken for “dental work” or “medical procedures” or ….
These folks that didn’t know the leesville redneck mafia really missed a treat. Does anybody remember that they had security people in Iraq that abused TCN and contractors because they thought they were untouchable. Really crappy people on every level. Thought they were the kings of the world, driving around in uparmored Humvees while the Army was driving soft-skinned vehicles still.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Hmmmm. I wonder what Ms Heather Brown would have to say about that?
David Stallard, until last month, was part of the Senior Leadership Team at LOGCAP III HQ in Baghdad. He is now the B Sites Project Manager.
Kind of a step down.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Kinda? I wonder if his pay was reduced. $10 says it wasn’t.
I have been in the Middle East since 2004 for multiple contractors. I am not willing to accept the fact that KBR can’t improve their operations, but to blame the company is not the right avenue. The company didn’t turn wrenches or sign off tasks as complete, fellow tradesmen did. I am sick to death of the lack of accountability out here. Sick to death I tell ya. Not just KBR, the military as well. They put out the same unsafe work as every contractor out here. How about you try to use this website to point folks in the right direction instead of everyone just pointing fingers. How does that make anything any safer for our people here? I identify electrical issues on a daily basis that the military ignores or take months to respond. We need to push for the authority having jurisdiction to participate in direction and inspection. Also we need the powers that be to allow our electricians to shut facilities down without the military circumventing the order and occupying the building regardless of the warnings. As far as the sexual harassment, it is unacceptable. I have myself been embarrassed by women in the office. I made a complaint and got transferred to Fallujah, big deal. I don’t need to make a living by making complaints. I am not saying deal with it, but I am saying a woman could pick a better place to work. These are construction sites, any woman who works back home (including you ms sparky) can’t tell me these comments aren’t made back home as well. I think also, you are no longer posting facts. There are individuals’ names up here without proof of cause; only that one person didn’t like them. Maybe that girl tried to sleep her way up (which happens everywhere, not just in Iraq), and someone turned her down. So now you are giving her public retribution without defense. I have turned down several advances out here and fear my name may pop up on your website as an offender. I have in the past, supplied you with details (facts) from reports, and have been a supporter of this site. Please don’t let this turn into a smear campaign. Let it continue to be about showing facts and news. A lot of my electricians contribute to this page and I encourage participation, but it’s turning into a personnel vendetta against KBR. FYI, I work for the Air Force now, not KBR…..But I do appreciate facts more than some of these opinions. You can tell by the grammar and text that not all of your bloggers would possess a dependable opinion and are in fact disgruntled employees whom have participated themselves in the very debauchery they are presently condemning. I mean, how would you know of work done inappropriately by another electrician (unless you’re an inspector)? We don’t do bad work and then tell everyone about it. So, most of these stories stem from personal practice.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I think I have done a fairly decent job of pointing people in the right direction. I blame the DoD every bit as much as KBR Managers. And what I don’t blog about it 10 times more than what I do. I try not to moderate the comments too much because although I let people use this as a place to vent, I am also trying to gather information about what is going on.
Read the Ms Frederiksen’s complaint. It’s not just comments. And they are illegal on any US job. It’s difficult to understand because you have a penis. But when don’t have one and are totally disregarded and disrespected by your own management because of that fact it’s pretty frustrting. And the laws are followed on the construction jobs I work in the States.
You must be quite the hottie if you are beating them off with a stick in Iraq. The competition is very tough with all those PSD’s and young soldiers. And if your name appears in a petition then yes it will appear here.
That’s right Ms Sparky if it is negative comment of course you demean that person. It will be a funny day when they shut down this site because you are printing opinions instead of facts. Innocent until proven guilty yeah right. I guess while you were posing at the burn pits you were off the clock or where you committing time sheet fraud i am sure this post won’t be posted. Don’t point fingers at everyone else unless you point at yourself.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I just get damn tired of hearing it’s OK to be an asshole and break the law because it’s a construction job. I’ve been in construction for almost 30 years and I thought the days of “hands on management” went out with the 80’s. Then there’s KBR. And here’s civics lesson for you. The first amendment grants me the right to print my opinion and that of others. Nothing is stated as fact unless it is fact. Republishing a complaint that lists names that is filed with the courts is fact not opinion. The fact is the complaint is filed and public record. Feeling a little guilty about something.
And I don’t know what you are talking about “posing at the burn pits”. I have never posed at any burn pit. You’re confused. And yes I did commit timesheet fraud. I did on occasion go to the PX or the hadji mart to pick up something I needed. An hour here and there. Yep I did do that. Are you commenting on Ms Sparky.com on company time. I think you are on KBR time! Naughty naughty
KSniper777-Sounds to me like you’re guilty of something. If your still working for KBR you know you are not suppose to be on this sight. They will hang you with your lanyard for that. I’ve been reading Ms Sparky for along time. I dont always agree with her personal opinions but I find her site to be fair and accurate for the most part. She would tell us what was going on long before KBR did. I think you are going to find more and more people coming forward and naming names. And that’s what they should do.
As far as the construction jobs go. Its 2009. Where I come from you get run off no questions asked. Not just for sexually harassing women but men harass men just the same. If they do they are down the road.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
He always runs a little on the negative side. Very very pro KBR. That’s fine. Everyone is entitle to their opinion. Even JC.
Remember, the 5th amendment does not protect anyone from slander or libel. If anyone here has played on larger stage than the incompetent KBR management, you know some people will defend their integrity as a matter of principle and spend the money to retain an attorney. In the street this means an ass kicking for talking trash.
To those that have never been off the porch and think our culture and values apply it doesn’t. Men and women have different roles in the Arab world. If anyone doesn’t understand this you should not work there and if you’re there to promote female liberalism and change the Arab world you don’t belong there as well.
However, This does not excuse any type of mis-conduct amongst our selves as Americans.
The double standard of sexual harassment to men is hard to believe but is true. You either have to “Man Up” and move on down the road, or “Wood Up” and swing for the fence.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I’m only talking about KBR management and US laws. The Arabs have their own issues.
What everyone seems to be missing is that these acts were committed by US Citizens against US Citizens on a US Military installation where both UCMJ and US Criminal Code applies.
Do you honestly believe that someone who would do something like this, does this type of thing only happen when they are outside of the US and then puts on their “Law Abiding Good Citizen Cap” as soon as they arrive back home?
Finally do you think that sexual misconduct etc.. is the only thing they did or is it the tip of the iceberg?
Only time will tell.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That is a very valid point. Also are there other victims that haven’t come forward?
Run with the Devil said,on July 5th, 2009 at 9:18 pm You must remember the security guard, who was fired for stealing personal possessions such as a flashlight from the first KBR employee who died in his sleep at Qandahar.
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I demobed from Afghanistan in March 04. The only deaths I knew about after my departure were Fred S. (RIP Fred), and one who was a drug overdose.
I hadn’t heard of the theft of personal property, but I won’t put it past some of those people.
In Karshi correct?
Odd, after 20+ years in trades I have seen a great many things and the most important thing I have seen is, when something is wrong, you make a note and a plan to make it right and tehn you implement the plan. KBR have said it is a War Zone for 6 years or so and it seems that has not only been the excuse to put things in bad but also, to prevent them looking at how to do it right and structure their next order to include the parts neded for proper installaton, this is what professionals do and the lack of such speaks loudly about the professionalism of KBR and many of their employees who were happy to keep doing the wrong thing when the right thing was so easy to determine and initiate.
If we put in a bad panel box in the US we would have to take it out and replace it, if it were an emergency we may be able to talk the inspector into allowing us to install it to provide essenial power until the new panel arrives and then it will be replaced. If we ordered more defective panels I am sure the inspector would soon tell us to order the right ones or stop working altogether. Why should hee be any different whether it be panels, breakers, toilet rolls, toilet seats or any other thing we work with or install?
If we had real protection here we would all be far safer but the DCMA are at fault for hiring paper pushers who could not tell a Square D breaker from a plug, same for QA and materials requisitioning personnel and though I know it is costly to have a person from every trade in every warehouse, why can we not have some in the main warehouse either in country or in Houston who could look up the spec sheets and remove non-conforming parts from the system and leave only the proper parts to order from?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
The DCMA not only dropped the ball on quality, they dropped the ball on personnel (KBR) safety. If KBR felt there was any DCMA oversight of any kind, the harassment, threats, intimidation, physical and sexual assaults would have been less likely because KBR would have gotten rid of those people to minimize the risk of losing theire award fees or contract. But The DCMA didn’t do that. For KBR it was like the wild wild west. Anything goes. So I feel the DCMA is just as responsible for these deaths, rapes and assaults as KBR.
The Houston Press just came out with a great article on this case:
“KBR In Iraq — Come For The Nation-Building, Stay For The Brothels”
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/07/kbr_sexual_abuse_and_brothels.php
Just to put it all into perspective, I was with Recovery and was pushed out of contract only recently by the very scumbsucken grubs that worked by my side.
In court KBR call it War, In Iraq they call it Sustainment and Rebuilding, War is Pastence.
I`m Australian, Coalition as a matter of Fact, Yet there are elements amongst KBR that think TCN is the preferred word.
I`ve contracted in 3 Wars and still have all my hands, Toes and Facalties.
What I saw first hand dished out by KBR Representitives and the like in Iraq, words fail me !!
The most important thing that I have is Documents Documents and more Documents, majority signed by upper management from Supervisers to PM and beyond. Email Traffic, Pictures and Information that will bury the very people that F#*$^D with myself and my familys life.
I went to every Dept looking for some sought of assistance and none was forthcoming. First of all I was the wrong colour, Secondly I was a TCN, Thirdly no-one gave a Toss, Even had confrontations with deviate mungrels who are totally frustrated with there own sexual conotations (Rockspiders), very sick people..
KBR has made the Decision for me, Not anything or Anybody else, To find someone(Representitive) worth his or her weight in this jungle of shite is nye impossible.
Only came across this site through a mate who was also in Iraq.
Cheers Johno
Ms Sparky’s Response:
There are some US Senators that would be very very interested in reading those emails and seeing what you have. I would love to help you get that info to a place where it will do some good. Email me by clicking on the “contact us” tap in the upper left of the page. We can talk more there. Great job thinking to save stuff and bring it home. I didn’t!
Johna mate, there are a few decent sorts here but not many and most of them are scared to rock the boat right now and are trying to hide out in case they are next to be chucked.
KBR make sure those who make waves are sent overboard as soon as possible and they are very slelctive about it. I heard 1 lad at Al Asad was sent home because his SCW’s were walking behind him along the street and the rules stated that they were to be in front so they were watched at all times, others for walking around with their hat in their hand because they took it off for a second to wipe the sweat out of their eyes and stop from falling on something. The buddy’s will always make sure those who screw up big are covered because they can cause embarrassment but the likes of ourselves? We do the right thing for the most part and that makes us targets, in case our ethics may contaminate others.
I hope you are able to get on with one of teh other groups and continue watching for things that are wrong.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
He’s doing the right thing by coming forward. Kudos to him!
I was at JohnO’s side when the self inflated egos of lower management threw the first stone as well as 5 others on our team. what they did was so wrong. They would not have wanted it done to them but didn’t give a second thought to deal it out. A company with absolutely no morals. They did me a number to one that is going to cost me my home and all I own to the point of being a street beggar if I let them. But I am not going down without a fight. Good on ya mate…Team FO
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks for the additional information and KUDOs for standing up for your rights!
FYI, Wade Wingate is now…can’t recall for sure he is either President of Kuwait operations for DynCorp or VP of operations for DynCorp in Kuwait. Worked with Wade at another camp where he was DPM and found himself a little honey that was a new hire and started if I recall as a travel person in HR and maybe a month after being there she was promoted to Billeting Manager. Job was never posted for the people in Billeting to apply for it. Well everyone was furious and for once an investigation was done and him and his honey were I thought sent home. But from reading above it did not happen that way. They just hid him at another camp. Seems to be the way KBR handles these situations. Many other flunkies from KBR are now with DynCorp as well.
ORIGINAL COMMENT DELETED.
To “iworkiniraq” from Ms Sparky
You didn’t actually think I was going to let that comment stand did you? Pretty tough words for someone who is anonymous. It would be interesting to see just what you would say if you had to attach your real name and real email address to it. Or are you one of the people named in the suit! You are not going to “snipe” here.
A few statement from your original comment that I would like to respond to:
“Oppppsss did I say that aloud.” my response “Oooops did I delete you?”
“Sorry to shed a little light on things for you all.” my response “Liar! I don’t thing sorry is even in your vocabulary.”
Wow…I am glad I stumbled onto this website. I was in Kuwait with KBR from Fall 2003 through the Spring of 2005. I really felt frustrated and taken advantage of while over there. I had documentation, but got back home to the states and with family and away from the craziness I let it all go. Well, I got a call from a recruiter a few weeks ago for a job in Afghanistan. I would be on my way over there, but for KBR’s protest of the award of the contract to others.
My take on the management style I observed. It seems KBR management was more reactive than proactive. Then to make matters worse, they did not react to make things right, they would find ways to have either the military or KBR management provide them waivers. After a couple dozen waivers at an airfield I had enough. I hate to generalize, but I have an Air Force background and I learned more to be proactive and see problems before they manifest themselves. Air Force leaders know how to relate safety into hard numbers and value. The KBR managment I was around were prior or retired Army. They couldn’t quantify safety into numbers and the only way they knew to show value was to cut personnel or take supplies away and “still get the job done”. That was how they got some of their bonuses.
I will go to Afghanistan a lot more aware of what or how things really happen. I do have to say I am appalled that ex KBR scum have been hired on by the other contractors. And I wish more Americans understood that by going overseas and working, in effect you are ambassadors for the USA. Like it or not you represent the USA. I was embarrassed a number of times how arrogant and loud so many KBR employees would act while out in the local community.
An additional note… Through the posts I have read a lot about the women were sexual harrassed and more. And somone stated how it was KBR to KBR and how the troops were handling themselves just fine. Well, on the camp I was at. There were a handful of rapes with military to military. Unfortunately it is happening in both settings.
Ms. Sparky thanks for providing this forum. It can serve to help many individuals. Keep up the good work…
Ms Sparky, your site is very interesting and what is being said is true. My husband was just “laid off” as they called it after almost 5 1/2 years working in Iraq with KBR. He knows Jo quite well and had worked with her before KBR. She is not a person to make things up and he knows from first hand that a lot of this stuff is going on. Your comments under the article “Not eligible for rehire” (June 18th) is so true : “The bulk of the bad seeds at KBR are not terminated. They are just transferred or promoted to get them out of the way or could it be to keep them from being subpoenaed and deposed.” He has seen this time and time again when the real troublemakers were “rewarded” and the honest, by the book workers, were punished when they went to HR etc. He was suspended for one day without pay because he was doing things right. These bad seeds are constantly degrading workers and are getting away with it. There are several instances that he told me about. He kept records of things that happened, but not knowing about uploading to keep file, they were deleted before he could get anything off his comp. before being demobed. They made sure he didn’t get a chance to take any incriminating info with him. They also said all these layoffs would be able to get unemployment……that is bs as they can’t. He has told me a lot and all your articles about what is going on is just backing up everything he has said happened. Go for it Jo!
JB said,on July 16th, 2009 at 8:01 pm FYI, Wade Wingate is now…can’t recall for sure he is either President of Kuwait operations for DynCorp or VP of operations for DynCorp in Kuwait.
JB – Wade Wingate is the Project Lead for the Kuwait To. Nothing more.
I was once given the unique opportunity for more than a year to work with Scott Mount, Wil Harless, and some other KBR employees mentioned here in the Mayor cell at Comanche Base and I can tell you with confidence that the allegations I read equate to something close to Horse Dung. As a retired Soldier of 22 years in Combat Arms units, and now Senior Army civilian with over 30 years experience working with Soldiers I can also tell you that I would never question Mounts integrity or moral courage when it comes to standing up for what is right for his people. This is a hideous suit and is nothing more than a venue for those that would love to blame their lack of success on others. The bottom line is that it is beneath us all and does absolutely nothing to help our real clients, the Soldiers we are all paid to serve! Moreover, I pray that whoever is giving the opportunity to serve our Soldiers in future years will do so with honor and integrity, and without the foolishness of jealousy which I feel is the primary motivator of these accusations.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Jealousy?? I am not even going to respond to that crap. You obviously didn’t read the the DOD IG report or listen to the testimonies at any of the Hearings held by numerous Congressional Committees.
Your stellar opinion of Scott Mount and others are the minority here. Others who have worked very closely with him do not regard him with the same esteem as you. So…you are either complicit in these accusations and/or others, ignorant to the facts of this case and/or others. Or your opinion of Scott Mount is right and EVERYONE else who has actually worked for him and has commented here is wrong!
Thanks for serving!
I worked for Conrad Cannon at KAF the past 2 months. This was for DynCorp. Conrad has a problem with decision making. His favorite answer is, “I don’t know” which then leaves you the option of making the decision yourself. When I reached a point where I wouldn’t play his game any longer and told him to answer the question he ran to Scott Mount. Conrad had bragged for quite some time how he and Scott Mount went way back together. The outcome of all this was that I was removed from the job I was doing (LHS & TI inspections) and was told by HR that I was to be shipped off to a small FOB on the Pakistan border. Then The Director of O&M for DynCorp went to Scott Mount on my behalf and said that I was going to be sent to another FOB where my 30 years of experience would be better utilized. Scott Mount told the Director of O&M that my years of experience suited me perfectly to sit on the Pakistan border. He also notified the Director of O&M that he had a ‘Title’ only position and that He (Scott Mount) would make all decisions about who went where. This is typical behavior happening at DynCorp on LOGCAP IV right now. Scott Mount has brought many of his buddies with him. They are all in leadership positions with DynCorp. Those that stand up to them are quickly silenced. Fear of retribution is a tool that Scott Mount (and all his drones) depend on. I made it clear to HR when I left that the management for DynCorp has severe problems. I also made it clear that I mean what I say. Ms. Sparky and her site allow all of us the opportunity to tell our individual stories of what it is like over there. We did not sign on to be part of some secret group. We are there to do a job and get paid. Others (Scott Mount, etc) seem to be there for the power trip first, the very high pay second and somewhere way near the bottom, for the Soldiers. Time will tell if anything is done about these ‘bad seeds’. I hope they pay for their crimes.
I am not sure precisely where Mr. Mount worked after Comanche base, but I am pretty sure if you consulted him directly in a respectful and forthright manner he would tell you. That said, I am not even sure it matters since I can only offer my opinion which MsSparky wishes all visitors to the site to be considered a minority. I can, however, honestly say I that have no incentive or possible gain from providing my opinion in this forum which I feel is more that can be said for the rest of the bloggers in here, it seems that many have a personal interest, grievence, or agenda. There is a lot to be said about those who are honest and forthright enough to confront men in a direct manner. Thanks for listening,
Most have a code to guide them. Some ignore it when it severs them well. To those who followed it with a sense of honor and dignity and did the best they could under difficult circumstances, well done. To those who professed to follow it and abandon it when convenient for personal gain maybe you should consider running for public office.
Yes ms. Sparky, Wade Wingate, Scott Mount’s sidekick and partner in crime (as far as the kickbacks go) As I recall, Wingate jumped ship after his last big payoff to go to work for a company that I was supervising, called First Kuwaiti. They were subcontractors who, along with AGT were installing the trailers in Camp Blackjack…..Yes, it was peculiar that he would work for a Kuwaiti contractor, His pockets got full quickly. What happened when we got the results of the bad deals? We fixed the problems….substandard water pipes that broke,,,,many
shower heads that broke,,,many
those 6,000 damn beds
hot water heater problems with heating elements,,,many
underground water and sewage lines broken, many
electrical problems from poor wiring,,,many
who payed to have them fixed,,,the american taxpayer, of course.
But, don’t take my word for it,, check the materials procured for camp blackjack from 3/03-10/03,,,look at the amount of piping ordered to do “maintenance”
and yes, they could have even gotten another kickback from THAT vendor cause it was a LOT of piping to replace all of the NEW piping.
also, check the requisitions for all of the other materials to perform “NORMAL MAINTENANCE”
jUST THINK OF IT LIKE THIS, YOU GET A KICKBACK FROM THE SUBCONTRACTOR TO KEEP QUIET ABOUT ALL OF THE POOR QUALITY, THOUSANDS, THEN YOU TELL YOUR TRUSTED CRONY (FROM THE SAME STREET IN LEESVILLE, LA. ) THAT YOU CAN WORK TOGETHER TO PURCHASE A LOT OF MATERIALS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. tHE PURCHASES ARE APPROVED BY WHOM? YES, SCOTT MOUNT. AND THE DESPERATE VENDOR (YES, HE IS BEGGING) WANTS YOU TO PURCHASE THE MATERIALS THROUGH HIM. THEN YOU GET A KICKBACK FROM HIM. It’s a piece of cake, really. I was not in the capacity to ever be confronted with those opportunities. I was occassionally offered booze by a smaller company that was just starting up in the area. But, I didn’t accept. The same company offered booze and girls (yes, i said girls, iraqi girls of 17 years old) to others in camp victory that i personally know of. I know all of this must seem startling,,,but it’s 100% fact !
that is the result of kickbacks, having to fix all of the substandard housing and hardware involved.
Darryl Johnson—-Yes, he was our bus driver in Camp Victory in Oct. 2003, but I was working on a refinery job for a different contractor in Feb. 2008, and I saw him. I told him that I couldn’t believe that he was still in the country. He stated that he has been there the whole time and is now (or was in Feb. 2008) a camp manager in the area of Moussayib, where the Thermal Plant is. It’s an existing thermal plant built by the russians a long time ago. It is comical in a way, because in the beginning, when camp victory was only tents, Darryl was the bus driver and he asked me on several occasions to help him with words,,,,simple words,,,Yes, Darryl was almost completely illiterate…..sad but true.