A LOT of money…
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency essentially dismantled by DOGE amid complaints from Democrats that cutting waste would harm impoverished countries, is at the center of a massive bribery scandal.
A federal contracting officer and three businessmen have pleaded guilty in a scheme involving bribes like cash, NBA tickets, and a country club wedding in a scandal the Department of Justice (DOJ) said was part of a $550 million scam, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel reported Friday.
Roderick Watson, 57, worked as a USAID contracting officer, according to a DOJ press release, and pleaded guilty to “bribery of a public official.”
Full article, HERE from Fox News.
One can only wonder how many other ‘contracts’ are similar, and whom else did the money go to?
We now know a lot of money went to NGOs for ‘various’ contracts, and that some of those monies were used directly against the US government and used in the United States.
It makes me wonder if the swamp can actually be drained… sigh…
“The fox does not need to catch the rabbit to kill it. Fear and exhaustion can levy a heavy toll.”
Just like the observation “The (Justice) process is the punishment”, scrutiny will result in bad actors choosing to not pursue some crimes while others will be cut-back as the malefactors look over their shoulders and have to invest time in more convoluted schemes.
As bad as it is… the funding has been slowed to a mere gushing wound, and these people are getting charged. This is an improvement from two years ago, when they were absolutely certain that the good times would never end.
Sunlight is a wonderful disinfectant. We need much more.
USAID and NED (National Endowment for Democracy) they’ve been at it for years , all over the world , unchecked . DOGE has kinda quieted down here lately , I wish they would investigate the many 501’s non profits , even the veteran’s organizations . I believe within 38USC the first Gulf War , under code , has yet to be determined as over , yet many veterans non profits cater only to “post 911” vets , seems very exclusionary to say “tough shit” to pre 911 vets of the mideast engagements.
The paycheck protection program PPP, was a goldmine for many business entities and individuals during covid . $$$$$’s were made out the wazoo . In my little neck of the woods , there were 16 or so LLC’s that received PPP payouts during covid , all located at one address , the office/campus of a corporate CAFO swine operation . Free taxpayer money is out there if you know how to get it , in small towns too . The already rich seem to know the ins and outs of obtaining free money , just as well as any other welfare queens.
I’m all in for helping people in need , but playing the system is wrong , shameful .
Spam post… buh bye…
Well since the swine operation is full of veterinarians , they should have had ample supplies of ivermectin to hand out to employees and saved us all money . Is that your point ? Or are you peddling the shit online ? LOL !
I doubt there’s any way to determine how much of all foreign aid furnished luxury for corrupt leaders, used to leverage local elections, withheld for punishment, or sold on the black market. In my opinion, the amount would be at least 70% of every tax dollar spent.
It’s apparent too many U.S. politicians were benefiting from the USAID slush fund, and should be caned in public as punishment. I know we don’t have that punishment as part of U.S. Code, but it’s now necessary.
I tend to think of the public funding situation as Congress paying the universities for terrorism, and for services in support of terrorism.
I’m definitely nuts, and maybe my opinion on these matters is purely only my own insanity.
I definitely do not buy that all of the overseas whiners have motivations that are not corrupt.
I want more reform, and sooner. I do not know what the real effects are, nor what the trades are of delaying, or outright leaving unfixed.
ERJ- True!
Dot- Hopefully with prison terms!
WSF- Yes it is!!!
Boats- Agreed!
Jess- One can hope… sigh
Bob- Agreed!
“makes me wonder if the swamp can actually be drained”
No. Not until the country is torn down and rebuilt from scratch. Take two or three generations at least. Not that I favor that solution but the gangrene has spread too far and too deep.
I will note, on a less doompilled note, that the nation has previously had some immensely sucky situations, and all in all, what people actually choose to do about those might not have been all that bad a set of choices, everything considered.
The “swamp” is not a place,a location that can be dealt with. It’s an ideology, and more importantly it’s PEOPLE. People who subscribe to and embrace corruption. As long as those people and others like them exist the “swamp” will exist.
Tom- I think you’re probably right…
Bob- Point.
Dan- Good point!
Could a new Project Plowshare help drain the swamp? I am sure if the Plowshare methods were used to build a canal through DC, we’d see improvement.