“We can’t do anything about it until we get the call.” How about you pick up the phone!

Worse than traitors in arms are the men who pretend loyalty to the flag, feast and fatten on the misfortunes of the nation while patriotic blood is crimsoning the plains of the south and their countrymen are moldering in the dust. ~Abraham Lincoln

In the last few weeks the DoD and other government entities have issued press releases requesting our help in identifying criminal acts committed hither and yon. They are asking for support in their new found “investigative momentum” against fraud in combat zones.

Not only did many critics consider the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction late to the game — opening its office seven years into the war — but already in its short life its first chief has resigned, the man who replaced him also quit, and Congress has blasted the agency for not living up to its mission.

I have heard from many readers that Afghanistan is crawling with fraud, waste and abuse.  Many have commented on the fact that the “good old boys” from Iraq simply switched out their  lanyards for a new color and are carrying on, business as usual.

Trent’s office is similar to its predecessor in America’s other war — the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, for which Trent has also worked. But while that office faced its own challenges, including a Republican-led effort to shut it down in 2006, the agency eventually came into its own and has been widely praised by lawmakers.

According to its own figures, the Iraq office has returned more than $154 million to taxpayers from seizures and other actions over the last seven years, and its investigations have lead to 57 convictions, many of them of military personnel, on charges including bribery, fraud, and money laundering. ~Director: Agency to get aggressive with fraud, waste in Afghanistan – Stars and Stripes

Here’s my problem with the statement above, first of all $157 million is merely a drop in the bucket.  According to reports, and there have been plenty, tens of BILLIONS have been misappropriated and wasted.  To date only a few small fry’s have seen the inside of a courtroom. 

It seems the Department of Justice (DoJ) gets cold feet whenever the opportunity arises to uphold justice and prosecute a criminal for ripping off the taxpayer. 

People come forward only to wait and wait some more, while their case is under seal.  If the DoJ decides to step up to the plate and that is a BIG IF, there is no guarantee of the DoJ following through.  There are several instances where the DoJ suddenly “changed their mind” or is turn tail and run a more accurate statement? 

More often than not the eyewitness, whistleblower, honest individual, whatever you want to call them, are left holding the bag for coming forward.  Several of these individuals have put it all on the line and have lost it all, for doing the right thing.

Charles M. Smith, James A. Brady III, David L. Wilson, James Warren, David Vavra and Jerry Hyatt are but a few of the brave individuals that have come forward in an attempt to stop this train wreck.  They called, they reported, did you bother to pick up the phone?  What about the countless others that you have on perpetual hold?

Today happens to be President’s Day and in honor of Abraham Lincoln let’s take a moment to remember him and the law originally named for him:

The American Civil War (1861–1865) was marked by fraud on all levels, both in the Union north and the Confederate south. During the war, unscrupulous contractors sold the Union Army decrepit horses and mules in ill health, faulty rifles and ammunition, and rancid rations and provisions, among other unscrupulous actions.^[2] In response, Congress passed the False Claims Act on March 2, 1863, 12 Stat. 696.^[3] Because it was passed under the administration of President Abraham Lincoln, the False Claims Act is often referred to as the “Lincoln Law.” ~Wikipedia

Maybe it’s time to start prosecuting the criminals and to stop persecuting those that pick up the phone and call.

~Ms Sparky

Other Related Posts From Ms Sparky

1. Calling All Tough Guys – casting call for “The Assailant”
2. Army decision to deny millions in bonuses to KBR is “Right call, but only fist step”
3. Lawmakers call for action on burn pits

Written by Ms Sparky. This entry was posted on February 20, 2012 at 2:44 pm and is filed under GOV. CONTRACTORS, Politics, Qui Tam, Reports & Investigations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Tagged Charles M. Smith, False Claims Act, Fraud Waste and Abuse, James A. Brady III, LOGCAP, Qui Tam, SIGAR, Steven J. Trent You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.