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  Post-Katrina FEMA Fraud? How About Fraud Among Military Contractors?
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COMMENTARY:

Post-Katrina FEMA Fraud? How About Fraud Among Military Contractors?

by Katherine Fonte
Where are these watchdogs when it comes to waste in Iraq and Afghanistan?
The news reports $1.4 billion in fraudulent Katrina Aid claims. Members of Congress rushed to decry the abuse—which has included FEMA debit cards being used to charge visits to resorts, or to purchase expensive wines. Offended on behalf of taxpayers, lawmakers wanted blood. On the defensive, FEMA spokesmen replied that, after Katrina, they could’ve either provided immediate aid with few anti-fraud safeguards, or held up distribution until the most needy were identified. "Not good enough," replied an angry Congress, disturbed at so much waste.

So where are these watchdogs when it comes to waste in Iraq and Afghanistan? Are they investigating favored contractors making billions for work not performed, or shoddily performed? (See the links below) What about wartime contractors who bill the American public for work not requested? Yes, it all adds up to fraud in the billions, but I see no congressional rush to call these people into account.

Clearly, it’s a bit safer politically to chase down Katrina fraud than to take on corrupt contractors in Iraq, who figure among the top Republican Party donors. So brace yourself for more accounts of FEMA debit card abuse. You can count on it. But are those antics really responsible for $1.4 billion in Katrina fraud? Think about it. Who’s doing the rebuilding, the heavy lifting at New Orleans redux ground zero? Why, it’s Halliburton, and a handful of other names very familiar amongst certain fund-raising circles. So you can be sure the libatious habits of aid recipients are going to continue to be the main focus of any congressional investigation into Katrina fraud. Overbilling and waste by the President’s supporters will be reported by only a handful of brave media outlets.


Here are those links:


Copyright © 2006 The Baltimore Chronicle. All rights reserved.

Republication or redistribution of Baltimore Chronicle content is expressly prohibited without their prior written consent.

This story was published on June 19, 2006.
 

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