American Charged in Iraq Scheme an Ex-Con

[tocqueville]

By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer
24 minutes ago


WASHINGTON - U.S. occupation officials gave a man with a federal fraud conviction control of millions of dollars for Iraqi reconstruction. Now the man is charged with accepting kickbacks to steer contracts to a businessman.

Robert J. Stein Jr., 50, of Fayetteville, N.C., used some of the kickback money to make a restitution payment for his earlier conviction and his wife used some to pay federal taxes, according to a federal affidavit.

Stein faces conspiracy, money laundering, wire fraud and other charges stemming from his alleged role in helping Philip H. Bloom, a U.S. citizen who has lived in Romania for many years, get contracts in Iraq worth more than $13 million, federal authorities said Thursday.

Prosecutors say Bloom, 65, paid kickbacks of more than $630,000 to Stein and others. Bloom has been charged with conspiracy and money laundering stemming from an investigation that Justice Department officials say could result in additional charges against others.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051118/ap_on_go_ot/iraq_contract_bribes

[applegrove]

1. Duh! They gave the pickins to Americans and shut out the international

community and didn't have enough soldiers to ensure peace and investment.

[WiseButAngrySara]

2. Does corruption ever end with this administration? That's what happens

when you base a poltical party on 'moral values.' All of the evil doers hide under its' cloak.