by D. Cupples | After Blackwater guards allegedly shot Iraqi civilians in September, the company
repainted and repaired the vehicles that were on the scene (including removal of at least one radiator) -- essentially destroying
evidence that might have helped investigators determine whether or not the
guards were responding to enemy gunfire.
Now, investigators will have to rely more on witness statements. Making matters worse, efforts to obtain some testimony have been "hampered by a State Department deal that gave Blackwater guards limited immunity for their statements following the incident." (Washington Post)
This latest news isn't surprising, because Blackwater has come under fire for all sorts of questionable conduct.
In 2005, for example, Blackwater teams reportedly released CS gas (a riot-control substance) from a helicopter in Iraq, temporarily blinding drivers, passers by, and least 10 U.S. soldiers. There was no violence on the ground during the gas drop. (New York Times)
In 2006, a drunken Blackwater guard shot and killed the Iraqi vice president's personal guard at a Christmas Eve party. Blackwater CEO Erik Prince told the House Oversight Committee that Blackwater had sufficiently dealt with that incident by firing and fining the shooter.
The Oversight Committee later learned that "the State Department and Blackwater kept the [guard killing] incident quiet" and out of the shooter's personnel records. (See committee letter, page 3.) That shooter later got a job with a Defense Department contractor that likely would not have hired him if it had known of the "incident."
In October 2007, an Iraqi official reported to the Oversight Committee that Blackwater had tried to take at least two Iraqi military aircraft out of Iraq -- over objections from Iraqi officials. (Committee letter)
In November 2007, MSNBC reported that Blackwater had come under yet another investigation over the company's allegedly illegal exporting of weaponry (a crime carrying penalties of up to 10 years' prison and $1 million in fines per incident).
Despite multiple incidents of highly questionable conduct, the State Department seemed to have fostered a protective attitude toward Blackwater. In September 2007, for example, State Department employees accused then-inspector general Howard Krongard of blocking multiple investigations into contractor waste and fraud, including an investigation into Blackwater's alleged gun smuggling. (BN-Politics)
High costs have always been a good reason to question the extensive use of private contractors. Given the latest news on Blackwater, it's becoming obvious that performance quality is another reason.
Related BN-Politics Posts:
* Justice Dept. Official Turned Blind Eye to Contractor Fraud?
* Inspector General Blocked Investigations re: Waste & Fraud?
* State Dept.'s Odd & Untimely Reactions to Blackwater Scandals
* State Dept. Official's Brother Tied to Blackwater; Republicans Oppose Probe
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