Cheney oil firm faces UK inquiry

[emad]

US vice-president mired in claims of bribery and corruption against his former company in four countries

David Leigh, Rob Evans, David Pallister, and David Teather in New York
Saturday October 30, 2004
The Guardian

British authorities have opened a new front in the widening investigation into allegations of bribery at Halliburton, the American oil services business, while it was being run by the US vice-president, Dick Cheney.

The Guardian has learned that the Serious Fraud Office has joined the international effort at the request of the US Department of Justice in Washington. French and Nigerian officials are already involved in the inquiry.

Halliburton has become a political liability for the Bush administration as the US prepares to vote in presidential elections next week.

The company, one of the chief government contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been dogged by controversy, which includes claims of White House favouritism in awarding the firm billions of dollars of contracts without being forced to bid and Pentagon allegations that the firm has massively overcharged for its work.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1339741,00.html

[emad]

1. British lawyer may have handled cash in oil investigation

Serious Fraud Office to look into payments of $180m

David Leigh, Rob Evans and David Pallister
Saturday October 30, 2004
The Guardian

The Serious Fraud Office is investigating a company which flies the US flag over the Kellogg Tower, in Greenford near Heathrow airport.
MW Kellogg Ltd is controlled by Halliburton, the US vice-president Dick Cheney's old firm in Texas.

Investigators want to know whether any of $180m (£98m) in payments ended up in the pockets of Nigerian oil officials.

The money was handed over to an agent, a British high street lawyer, who moved the funds into a Swiss bank. The Guardian has traced a former executive who handled the transactions, Mr Wojciech Chodan.

Speaking at his home in Maidenhead, Berkshire, Mr Chodan confirmed his dealings with the contracts and he had answered to a Houston oil executive. "I reported to Jack Stanley," he said.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1339648,00.html

[lovuian]

2. Cheney may control the US courts and government BUT

does he have control of the European courts???

[emad]

3. Let's hope he thinks heDOES then the sting will be all the

sweeter..........

[maddezmom]

4. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=944570

[emad]

5. ooops.......and I searched!

...