U.S. Probes Afghan Reconstruction Abuses

[Soylent Brice]

Source: CBSNews (AP)

38 Cases of Alleged Fraud, Theft - Mostly Involving Non-Afghans - Are Being Investigated

(AP) The U.S. agency overseeing the multibillion dollar Afghanistan reconstruction effort is investigating 38 criminal cases ranging from contract fraud to theft - most involving non-Afghans, officials said Tuesday.

The reconstruction effort has come under increased scrutiny as Defense Department contractors pour into Afghanistan to support the U.S. military surge. But the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, headed by retired Marine Corps Gen. Arnold Fields, was only established by Congress in 2008, nearly seven years after the U.S. invasion to oust the Taliban.

Just 10 of the criminal cases under the microscope involve Afghans only, while the rest involve U.S. and other foreigners, according to Raymond DiNunzio, the agency's assistant inspector general for inspections. He would not elaborate since the cases are under investigation.

Afghanistan also faces intense pressure to control rampant corruption in the country, but its institutions are weak after years of war and civil strife.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/12/world/main6086817.shtml?tag=stack

[asjr]

1. If we can't get Bush and Cheney on international

torture cases maybe we can get them on stealing taxpayer money.

[Soylent Brice]

2. kinda like getting Capone for tax evasion. we've certainly lost our creativity. n/t