KBR adds another retired General to its ranks @ $650.00 an hour
Army tries to halt retired general’s work as KBR expert
By MARY FLOOD HOUSTON CHRONICLE – Feb. 25, 2010
The U.S. Army is trying to stop retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, who once led U.S. forces in Iraq, from continuing to be an expert for KBR in a lawsuit against it over civilian truck driver deaths and injuries.
Sanchez is being paid $650 an hour and has reviewed documents and written a report that support’s KBR’s contention it should not be held legally responsible for the deaths of six civilian truck drivers and the injuries of others in a 2004 ambush in Iraq.
The suing drivers and family members contend that KBR should have stopped the convoys when it was warned that attacks would increase on April 9, 2004, the first anniversary of the day allies in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq reached Baghdad.
KBR argues that the military approved sending the convoys out and several laws protect KBR from responsibility in a wartime situation. The Army contracts with KBR to provide transportation, food services and other logistical support.
Scott Allen, a plaintiff’s lawyer in the case, told U.S. District Judge Gray Miller this afternoon that lawyers for the Army have sent notice that Sanchez cannot be deposed and cannot give expert testimony.
Bruce Hurley, a lawyer for KBR, said the defense still plans to present Sanchez for deposition next week. “He stands ready,” Hurley said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Hu, who will represent the Army in further discussions about the deposition, declined to comment on the case.
Miller said the deposition should go on as planned and the parties can deal with the issue if Sanchez, who lives in San Antonio, doesn’t appear. “He’s retired from the Army,” the judge said. “I don’t know what control the Army has.”
Plaintiffs say they have a military expert who will support their position.
In his report for KBR on the 2004 ambush, Sanchez writes that KBR leadership was getting “emotional, hyperbolic, CNN-filtered, open source information, not intelligence” that was warning that the convoys could be ambushed.
Sanchez says no battlefield leader could have known the convoy would be attacked. KBR leadership did stop convoys the day after six civilians were killed and 14 injured in the truck convoy ambush.
Sanchez retired in 2006 after 33 years of service — under something of a cloud because the abuse of inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison that became an international scandal occurred on his watch. The Army cleared him of responsibility.
Milller previously tossed out the group of three lawsuits against KBR. But after an appellate court asked him to take a second look and new evidence came to light, Miller ruled on several issues differently, making it more likely the case actually will go to trial in a few months. (Click HERE for original article)
Other Related Posts From Ms Sparky
- Members of The Retired General’s Club aren’t interested in full disclosure
- Retired General brings home the bacon, worth $4 billion
- Judge rules against Army in favor of KBR and the retired General who has sold his soul for $650.00hr
- Will the Retired General’s Club help Agility buy it’s way out of trouble
- 72-Hour Kits (Reminder)
Friday, February 26th 2010 at 6:56 am |
Maybe KBR will sell it as a Cost Avoidance Measure (CAM). After Sanchez is done with helping KBR stick it to the widows and orphans of the Good Friday Massacre. He can then advise KBR on how to keep those ungrateful, complaining employees in line like the prisoners at Abu Ghraib, under his command. It only costs the taxpayer $650.00 an hour, such a deal.
Friday, February 26th 2010 at 7:08 am |
I don’t have much respect for a General who served his country then retired and sold his soul to the Devil to protect a company who is accused of electrocuting soldiers, knowingly exposing them to a carcinogen which some have already died, protecting rapists and other criminals, publicly humiliating rape victims and robbing the taxpayer just to name a few. WTF!! Who’s side you are you on? What are you thinking?
Friday, February 26th 2010 at 11:01 am |
I agree. The General’s who serve our military and then become “consultants” for big contractors (Dyncorp, KBR etc) should hae their stars removed.
Gen. Anthony C. Zinni (USMC-Ret.) became executive vice president, effective July 2007. He retired from DynCorp in 2008 right before the election of Obama because he thought he was going to be appointed Ambassador in Iraq. Obama passed him over for that job. He currently holds a position with BAE
http://www.dyn-intl.com/news2007/news071807.aspx
Here is a graph of General Zinni’s
http://www.muckety.com/Anthony-C-Zinni/24641.muckety
http://govconexecutive.com/2009/06/tony-zinni-interim-ceo-of-bae-systems/
Another General who gets on the NBC news as their “expert analysis” is General Barry McCaffrey. He is a a DynCorp Director
http://www.muckety.com/Barry-R-McCaffrey/17015.muckety
Making millions & Living the high life these are just 2 Generals who have forgotten where they came from.
Friday, February 26th 2010 at 5:59 pm |
This person who served in the military called Sanchez is to me being paid “BLOOD MONEY”!!! He should be paid 650 pesos per week – if that much!!! This may offend some but I consider this Sanchez a “SUB-HUMAN” for denagrating those brave people whose only position in this nightmare was helping the military, the American people back home, and their individual families, EVEN YOU TOO SANCHEz and your family members. I suppose when this “SCUMBAG SANCHEZ” retires from KBR, then he will be hired by “AIG”!!! What a “LOW-LIFE” this person SANCHEZ is!!! General WESTMORELAND didn’t at first believe that “AGENT ORANGE” was harmful but, when his own son died from exposure to “AGENT ORANGE”, General Westmoreland changed his opinion of “AGENT ORANGE” and did what he could to stop the production of “AGENT ORANGE”. I have great respect for “GENERAL WESTMORELAND” but “NOT ZANCHEZ”. “SANCHEZ” to me is a criminal allowed to walk freely and help “AIG” and “KBR” ruin families even more after these “BRAVE MEN” were “KILLED AND WOUNDED”. HOPE YOU OR YOUR GOFFERS READ THIS PERSONAL OPINION YOU SCUMBAG SANCHES”. “DON’T FORGET SANCHEZ – THERE IS A LIFE AFTER THIS ONE – WHERE WILL END-UP????
Friday, February 26th 2010 at 6:03 pm |
This person who served in the military called Sanchez is to me being paid “BLOOD MONEY”!!! He should be paid 650 pesos per week – if that much!!! This may offend some but I consider this Sanchez a “SUB-HUMAN” for denagrating those brave people whose only position in this nightmare was helping the military, the American people back home, and their individual families, EVEN YOU TOO SANCHEz and your family members. I suppose when this “SCUMBAG SANCHEZ” retires from KBR, then he will be hired by “AIG”!!! What a “LOW-LIFE” this person SANCHEZ is!!! General WESTMORELAND didn’t at first believe that “AGENT ORANGE” was harmful but, when his own son died from exposure to “AGENT ORANGE”, General Westmoreland changed his opinion of “AGENT ORANGE” and did what he could to stop the production of “AGENT ORANGE”. I have great respect for “GENERAL WESTMORELAND” but “NOT ZANCHEZ”. “SANCHEZ” to me is a criminal allowed to walk freely and help “AIG” and “KBR” ruin families even more after these “BRAVE MEN” were “KILLED AND WOUNDED”. HOPE YOU OR YOUR GOFFERS READ THIS PERSONAL OPINION YOU SCUMBAG SANCHES”. “DON’T FORGET SANCHEZ – THERE IS A LIFE AFTER THIS ONE – WHERE WILL YOU END-UP YOU PUPPET ON-A-STRING SANCHEZ????
Saturday, February 27th 2010 at 12:22 am |
I don’t have a problem with any General becoming a consultant on the surface. They have plenty experience defending expensive military programs that falter and others that never really seem to benefit the “boots on the ground.” But what do you expect, when much of the analysis before opening day was provided by people who never understood Saddam’s Ba’ath Party culture or the Iraqi people.
Once again, a contradiction of terms and policy in reverse when promoting and defending the client they represent in regards to the military code of conduct they once enforced upon subordinates.
“I carried the tired Caesar
From the waves of Tiber. And now this man
Has become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature, and must bow.”
Saturday, February 27th 2010 at 3:25 am |
Baboo i have to agree with you for once you have those who post stuff just to post but someone who is full of dung. Yes he made a bunch of bad calls, got retired before his time. Remember he has to live with those decisions. I cannot wait to here the screaming and rolling around in the Mudd, Hey Sparky your info dogs are asleep at the wheel. KBR got that 2.3 billion dollar CTP contract let the hating began LOL. Get on Job sparky post that stuff instead of trying to find a angle
Sparky i love you blog.
Saturday, February 27th 2010 at 6:26 am |
I am working on it as we speak…..
Saturday, February 27th 2010 at 6:30 am |
LOL, i cannot wait to see the post and responses to follow
Saturday, February 27th 2010 at 6:14 am |
Change the law that when any officer of any rank with any dealings with these contractor (for profit) companies – want to retire from the military or have reached their time limit and must retire – are not allowed by law from working in any form with Any Military Contracting Company anywhere on the planet or (thinking of the future) off the planet – EVER.
I once worked with nothing but officers while in the military – and I guess these few officers like Sanchez are a lessor caliber of what a Gentleman is considered as a military officer quality type of individual in the Armed Forces this day and time. They should be Impeached and stripped from any and all retirement benefits and forced into bankruptcy to let them see what those who are now or have suffered because of these GREEDY-Self-serving Hypocrits actions against people that HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED WHILE SERVING OUR COUNTRY – DIGNITY AND RESPECT SOMEHOW FLY OUT THE DOOR WHEN CIVILIANS ARE INJURED OR KILLED INCLUDING FORMER MILITARY AND IN FLY THE GREED. How often do you SANCHEZ – go to a HOMELESS SHELTER or work in a FOOD SERVING LINE to help pay back what this country has blessed you with? MY GOD man – even the future KING of ENGLAND has slept outside all night in the open air by a Dumpster and stood in a FOOD SERVING LINE to help feed the Homeless – LADY DIANA DID THE SAME THING AND MORE. What have you done along this line SANCHEZ?
Saturday, February 27th 2010 at 6:18 am |
I think the generals on the ground have the expertise that is needed for the “boots on the ground.” KBR, DynCorp, BAE hire retired generals like Sanchez, Zinni, McCaffrey, etc. and pay them the big bucks – think about how much more they could pay the American workers or even their nationals?
I’m glad they are using their knowledge to assist in the mission but they are helping the big companies make big bucks. Their legacy as great Generals will be distorted by what looks like GREED rather than Patriotism.
For example: General Anthony C. Zinni (USMC Ret.) had Compensation for 2008 from DynCorp
of $946,782
http://forum.prisonplanet.com/index.php?topic=112712.5;wap2
Saturday, February 27th 2010 at 1:54 pm |
The only reason these companies employ retired generals is to garner favor with government overseas military contracts. If you look at the other outside civil infrastructure or oil and gas refinery projects, they’re not needed.