Oilman blames politics for kickback charges

[Judi Lynn]

May 8, 2006, 11:57PM
Oilman blames politics for kickback charges
Attorneys say Wyatt's criticism of Iraqi policies led to prosecution

By DAVID IVANOVICH
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Houston oilman Oscar Wyatt Jr., accused of paying illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's regime, contends the government singled him out for prosecution because he had been an outspoken critic of U.S. policy toward Iraq.
(snip)

Prosecutors say Wyatt and two Swiss associates secretly funneled millions of dollars to the Iraqi government as part of a scheme to dodge controls designed to keep proceeds from the United Nations' oil-for-food program from falling into Saddam's hands.
(snip)

Between 2000 and 2002, when Saddam is believed to have been able to charge those illicit payments, Wyatt and companies associated with him received 24 million barrels of Iraq oil, a special U.N. panel led by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker found.

Wyatt also has been accused of conspiring with fellow Houston oil executive David Chalmers Jr. of BayOil (USA) to manipulate the selling price for oil sold under the program as a way to cover the cost of illegal surcharges.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/3849838.html

[radfringe]

1. but doing something

illegal has nothing to do with the issue?

[luckyleftyme2]

2. gee not a mention about iran

how much did the major oil companies funnel thru iran? i'll bet lots and lots of oil sold as iranian oil came from iraq.wonder why halliburton set up shop in iran in 1995 or 1996 when chenny was ceo and we had a policy of due not do business with on iran?
oh well 100 years from now may'be some one will pick up on this.

[mom cat]

4. Bingo!

[Javaman]

5. "oh well 100 years from now maybe some one will pick up on this."

And they will look back at this era as the time of complete gluttony, greed and stupidity for a finite resource.

Will the last gallon of gas be on display in a museum? Or will it be used up by some homer simpson in a completely selfish act of stupidity?

Hmmm, no comment.

[w4rma]

3. Probably. He should take down some of the ones who supported it

with him, imho.