» 2010 » November Ms Sparky

US Woman Gloria Hastings and CSA employee arrested in Kuwait on drug chargesCSA

Posted on: November 30th, 2010 at 9:05 am — by Ms Sparky

(L) unamed Bangladeshi partner (R) Un-named American civilian employee of the US Army

US woman and Bangladeshi in drug trade

Police recently arrested an American woman and a Bangladeshi for trading in drugs.

After receiving information about an American woman (Gloria Hastings) – a civilian employee in the US Army (actually a CSA employee) who was allegedly selling drugs, a team of security officers from the Drug Control General Department (DCGD) put her under surveillance. The team later instructed an undercover agent to buy marijuana from the suspect, who agreed to meet the agent at an undisclosed location to complete the bogus deal. She was arrested during the entrapment operation.

During interrogation, the woman admitted the crime and told police that she obtained the drugs from a Bangladeshi. She provided police with information on the whereabouts of her supplier, who was also arrested with a large quantity of drugs in his possession. (click HERE for original article) If you have more information on this case such as the name of this woman I would love to publish it. There is also the possibility she is an employee of a US Defense contractor currently in Kuwait.

US woman insults officer at airport

KUWAIT CITY, April 17: Securitymen at the Kuwait International Airport referred an American woman to Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh Police Station for insulting a passport officer on her arrival at the airport, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.
The woman, who is Deputy Manager at a private educational academy in Kuwait, was high on alcohol during the episode. (click HERE for original article)

“You’re not in Kansas anymore!!” A lot of people don’t think “that” law applies to them when they leave the wonderful United States of America. Unless you have a Diplomatic Passport you DO NOT have diplomatic immunity. And even then, immunity is most likely limited. In many many countries you can be arrested for what we Americans would consider insignificant offenses. Drug trafficking is a serious offense everywhere I do suspect this woman will be doing some time in a Kuwaiti prison.

Now, how many of us who have done any international travel have not gotten intoxicated on the plane? Although rude, childish and unacceptable, who has never given their unsolicited personal opinion to airport staff in some airport somewhere around the world. I can remember traveling home from Iraq on an R&R and was connecting through Paris, France. I got pulled by French airport security to play a long and drawn out game of 20 questions about why I was traveling from Baghdad. They acted as if not other American expat coming from Baghdad had connected through Paris. I guess they humor in my response of “Just vacationing at my summer villa!” Even after I showed them my CAC card they pressed on with the questions. They held me right up until they were getting ready to close the doors.

The moral of this story is…..”Just bite your damn tongue and don’t get mouthy at an airport!”

Ms Sparky

Posted in Indictments, Convictions & Arrests, Miscellaneous. Tags: Combat Support Ass. (CSA), DoD*, Gloria Hastings, Kuwait, U.S. Dept. of Defense*. 107 Comments »

Pirates of the Pentagon and other news

Posted on: November 28th, 2010 at 5:50 am — by Forseti

U.S. strips intelligence analyst of security clearance and job but won’t say why
By Peter Finn – Washington Post Staff Writer - November 27, 2010 – Eighteen months ago, John Dullahan was an intelligence analyst with a long and varied career in both the military and the classified world. Today, he is jobless and blacklisted from the federal workforce, his loyalty to the United States, he says, brought into question.

He just isn’t sure why.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, the government stripped the Irish-born Dullahan’s security clearance and fired him from his job at the Defense Intelligence Agency in a manner that has no precedent at the Pentagon – invoking a national security clause that states that it would harm the interests of the United States to inform him of the accusations against him.

As a result, Dullahan, a Vietnam veteran who served at military posts around the world and as a U.N. weapons inspector in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, cannot appeal to a board of senior agency officials, as others in his position might. He is, in effect, stranded.

“This has been devastating for me,” said Dullahan, 65, who became a U.S. citizen in 1973. “I am a loyal American.”

Security clearances are a ticket to opportunity for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors. But when those clearances are taken away, so is any chance of employment in the national security complex.

The reasons to revoke a security clearance can vary. Some federal workers lose them because they are found to be using illicit drugs. Others lose them when they are determined to be financially vulnerable, a situation that might make them susceptible to blackmail. (Click HERE for article)

Philadelphia-based CDI Corporation Settles False Claims Act Allegations
Allegedly Mischarged Labor Costs Under Military Aircraft Engine Contracts
WASHINGTON – November 24, 2010 – CDI Corporation has agreed to pay the United States $1.95 million to resolve allegations in a lawsuit brought under the False Claims Act that CDI wrongfully charged labor costs to work orders under military aircraft engine contracts for The General Electric Company (GE), the Justice Department announced today. According to the government’s allegations, the work for which the military was charged was not actually performed.

(Read the rest of the story here…)

Country famous for email scams busts Halliburton, how embarrassing is that?

Posted on: November 26th, 2010 at 9:03 am — by Forseti

EFCC raids Halliburton office in Lagos

By Ifedayo Adebayo and Olugbenro Adeoye – November 26, 2010 – Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Thursday afternoon conducted a raid on the Lagos office of Halliburton, Technip and Snamprogetti and officials (mostly expatriates) were arrested.
During the raid which was backed by a contingent of armed policemen, officials of the companies said EFCC officials ransacked their offices and pushed the staff around before taking away documents and some officials of the company.

Speaking to our reporter, Femi Babafemi, the commissions’ spokesperson, said the raid was the result of new discoveries and the latest development in its investigation of the American oil services firm’s alleged corrupt practices.

“I don’t have the details yet, but I know that three MD’s of Technip and Halliburton, three of them were arrested,” Mr Babafemi said.

Halliburton has been sanctioned in the UN for its role in a multi-billion dollar scandal involving the Nigerian Liquified Gas industry. As NEXT reported in past editions, at least three former presidents, Sani Abacha, Abdusalami Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo were implicated as recipients of bribes from American and European contractors retained to build Africa’s first liquefied natural gas plant in Bonny, Rivers State by US law enforcement officials.

Yesterday’s raid, according to Mr. Babafemi, is related to the ongoing case.

“It is the same Halliburton case. We just go back into the case based on fresh information that we have,” he said.

(Read the rest of the story here…)

Posted in GOV. CONTRACTORS, Indictments, Convictions & Arrests. Tags: Bonny Island LNG, FCPA, FCPA Violations, Halliburton, Jack Stanley, Nigeria. No Comments »

Twas The Night Of Thanksgiving…..

Posted on: November 25th, 2010 at 7:04 am — by Ms Sparky

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN’T SLEEP.
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION,
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.
GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
‘TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.
I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY,
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES….

HAPPY EATING TO ALL – PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES ‘N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!

Posted in Miscellaneous. Tags: Holidays*, Humor, Thanksgiving. No Comments »

Thousands of turkeys deploy to Iraq, Afghanistan

Posted on: November 25th, 2010 at 6:38 am — by Ms Sparky

I have been blessed with many things to be thankful for this year. I have an amazing husband and family who are healthy, happy and supportive. Who could want for more than that!

I would like to extend a special Thanksgiving wish to ALL my friends and family. To those soldiers serving overseas and around the world and the civilians who support them…..THANK YOU! To those families at home celebrating the Holiday without their deployed loved ones…..THANK YOU!. For those who will have an empty place at the table because a loved one made the ultimate sacrifice….. a special prayer for you.

Today is a day to reflect and be grateful for those endless blessings bestowed upon you and…….get in one last day before the chaotic American tradition of excessive Christmas shopping begins!

Happy Thanksgiving

Ms Sparky

THANKSGIVING DINNER IN THEATER

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 22, 2010) — The Defense Logistics Agency shipped about 144,000 pounds of whole turkeys into theater so Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines there can enjoy Thanksgiving dinner while deployed.

By now, dining facilities and other distribution points throughout Iraq and Afghanistan have received the food to be used in preparing Thanksgiving meals. In all, about 225 locations are serviced.

“The Thanksgiving celebration and the meal itself is a national cultural celebration,” said John Q. McNulty, chief, Army Food and Liquid Logistics, G-4.

Both Thanksgiving and Christmas meals are planned as many as nine months in advance to ensure food supplies are available to be ordered by dining facilities in theater.

The DLA expects to provide meals to more than 48,000 U.S. servicemembers in Iraq and more than 95,000 in Afghanistan. Additionally, thousands of allied troops and U.S. contractors working in those locations will also be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

Although thousands of miles from wherever they may call home, America’s servicemembers won’t need to miss the tastes and smells of a hearty Thanksgiving, thanks to efforts by the DLA.

“Providing traditional holiday meals to these American heroes is one of the single most important things we do all year,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott Chambers, DLA troop support commander. “It is an expression of our thanks and appreciation for what they are doing for America every day.”

The DLA has also shipped an additional 104,000 pounds of turkey breasts and thighs, 50,000 pounds of ham, 112,000 pounds of beef, 57,000 pounds of shrimp, 41,000 pounds of stuffing, 8,600 cans of sweet potatoes and more than 47,000 cakes and pies to theater.

Not all Soldiers will be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal in a dining facility, but Army Central Command and tactical units arrange to provide a Thanksgiving meal to all Soldiers, including those in outposts that can’t prepare a meal for themselves, said McNulty.

In remote locations, for instance, hot meals can be specially delivered in insulated food containers. Additionally, special supplements are ordered such as nuts, candies, and assorted fresh fruits. Specially developed self-heating meals that include the turkey and all the trimmings can also be sent to extremely remote units.

“The Army makes every effort to provide our Soldiers the opportunity to experience this uniquely American tradition, just as though they were home, one that their service helps preserve,” McNulty said. (Click HERE for original article)

Posted in A Soldiers Story, Holiday Tribute To Soldiers, Who Supports Our Troops. Tags: Afghanistan, Defense Logistics Agency*, DFAC, DLA*, Holidays*, Iraq, Thanksgiving. No Comments »

KBR deploys cap & lanyard brigade to man checkpoints in Iraq

Posted on: November 24th, 2010 at 5:08 am — by Ms Sparky

You managed to survive the KBR showers. You got through KBR’s “pardon our dust” phase of their Iraq reconstruction project. Perhaps you’ve even been lucky enough not to be locked in a shipping container after a close encounter with one of your criminal co-workers. But apparently KBR wants one last chance at ensuring you don’t return home safe and sound to your family. Armed with nothing more than your trusty cap and lanyard ”All KBR Ex-pats” will be manning Entry Control Points (ECP) during the drawdown of troops in Iraq. What the hell? Great management decision KBR!! Well played. Are you putting foreign nationals on the ECP’s or just Americans?

As Forest Gump would say……”Stupid is as stupid does!”

When will the DoD, DoS or Congress man-up and put a stop to this KBR BS? If you are a KBR employee and need the name of a good attorney shoot me an email. I know a few!

~Ms Sparky

Security a Role of Contract Workers in Iraq?

ISIAH CAREY – HOUSTON – November 23, 2010 – Everyone knows what the danger was like on the battlefield in Iraq. That is why some civilian workers now based in the war zone are asking why they are being placed in harm’s way. Those civilians work for KBR.

“This raises concerns; it raises concerns as we drawn down in Iraq.”

Some of the workers from the Houston-based military contracting company say they have been assigned to securing at least three entry control points at Tallill airbase in Iraq.

Those workers say they do not get guns or training, however they do say they are accompanied by limited military personnel and KBR private security officers.

FOX 26 News has obtained internal e-mail messages spelling out the plan in Iraq. They were sent by KBR officials to its employees.

One of the messages states the following:

“Please be advised that some changes will be implemented in our daily duties. All KBR ex-pats in all departments will be participating in the coverage of three ECP’s checking all personnel exiting an ECP for appropriate documents and reason for exiting.”

(Read the rest of the story here…)

Posted in GOV. CONTRACTORS, LOGCAP III - KBR, LOGCAP IV - KBR, Media Coverage. Tags: Camp Adder, Employee Issues-KBR, Heather Browne, Tallil Iraq. 22 Comments »

Will it be the big house for bubba in the end?

Posted on: November 22nd, 2010 at 6:44 am — by Ms Sparky

Anyone who has worked in Afghanistan, Iraq or for one of the many government contractors supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) understands the look of jaw dropping astonishment and horror when some Neanderthal, sporting a single digit IQ, is promoted to a position of power, as well as the equally perplexing look of dismay when an honest, hardworking individual is sacked and blackballed (aka not eligible for rehire) for some minor infraction, such as a cracked tail light on their vehicle etc.. Is bubba hitting the big time because corporate executives are calculating and conniving for a bigger piece of the taxpayer pie? Is it possible that these over inflated egos are merely pawns, pigeons or puppets, for the corporate robber barons known as government contractors?

What will happen to poor bubba when the shit hits the fan and the DoJ comes knocking on doors? Absolute total denial from the company and the leadership that condoned or promoted bubba’s evil ways and felonious heart that’s what:

“KBR does not in any way condone or tolerate illegal or unethical behavior,” says Heather Browne, KBR spokesperson. “The company stands firm in its unwavering commitment to conduct business with the utmost integrity.”

I don’t know if puffing up your chest and shouting “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM” will have much of an effect with bubba’s new cellmate. Here’s hoping that his new celly responds with – “My New Girlfriend, that’s who!” I am sure bubba’s former employees and the taxpayers he has been sticking it to for years will not offer him much compassion or sympathy, if or when this occurs.

The following article about the whistleblower who helped bring Louis Berger Group’s misdeeds to light brings up some interesting points about the companies that vie for USG contracts. This article could be about any one of the many companies we have blogged about, or will blog about in the future. Kudos to Harold Salomon for his honesty and integrity! Let’s hope there are more people just like him.

~ Ms Sparky

Whistleblower details bribes, fraud in Afghanistan

Warren P. Strobel - McClatchy Newspapers - November 21, 2010 – KABUL, Afghanistan — A corporate whistleblower, whose evidence of fraud led to one of the largest fines ever against a war-zone contractor, said that he was ordered to facilitate bribes, keep information from government auditors and inflate overhead rates.
Former Louis Berger Group employee Harold Salomon, in his first interview since the case was settled earlier this month, said he came to believe the New Jersey firm hired him because executives calculated the Haitian immigrant would not uncover their defrauding of U.S. taxpayers.

“Me being an immigrant would be easy prey,” he said. They thought, “I would not understand anything.”

(Read the rest of the story here…)