Pentagon paid $998,798 to ship two 19-cent washers.
The Pentagon paid a small South Carolina parts supplier about $20.5 million over six years “for fraudulent shipping costs, including $998,798 for sending two 19-cent washers to an Army base in Texas. The company also billed and was paid $455,009 to ship three machine screws costing $1.31 each to Marines in Habbaniyah, Iraq.”
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That’s just too painful to take in.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:28 pmJust think, righties, not one single mother benefitted. Win!!!!
August 16th, 2007 at 9:31 pmWhat I don’t get is how my company, which does business with the government has trouble getting paid for things in the contract, yet these jerks can scam the government for millions. It always just blows my mind.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:31 pm“What I don’t get is how my company, which does business with the government has trouble getting paid for things in the contract, yet these jerks can scam the government for millions. It always just blows my mind.” - Mittop
It’s all a matter of who you know. Follow the money. It will lead to lobbyists and politicians (disproportionately Republican).
August 16th, 2007 at 9:34 pmThat’s the most ‘rip off’ transcation ever…it should be listed in Guiness world record.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:36 pmIt is also the worst abuse of taxpayers dollars.
This will never happen in the private sector…!
its not these jerks that are scamming the government, it the government that’s scamming us.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:36 pmImpeach GW Botch, Dick(head) Cheney and convict the rest. Life in prison would be just too kind to these corrupt bastards!!!
August 16th, 2007 at 9:36 pmWhy does Think Progress hate America for posting these kinds of truths? These are just downhome good ole boy kinds of scamin’. Support our Troops, Libbies. And why is it you just cannot get used to the flavor of our Great Chimp Leader’s droppings? They are so tasty.
Just thought I’d save some of the dingbat right wing drooling trolls the trouble of even responding to this story.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:48 pmMaybe the pentagon should just have lindsey gramcracker fill his pockets with washers next time he goes rug shopping.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:50 pmBleeding America dry of money, morale and soldiers.
George W. Bush’s legacy and the legacy of his 26% bitter enders who will never question or doubt The Decider and Deadeye Dick.
-GSD
August 16th, 2007 at 9:52 pmHey I want some of this action. I will ship screws to any location for that kind of money.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:52 pm… wow…
August 16th, 2007 at 9:56 pmoh, for the good ol’ days of $200 hammers…
…
The two 19 cent washers to Texas for almost one million is incredible. This is what happens when no oversight occurs. This should have been red-flagged and rejected for payment.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:56 pm… and toilet seats at the bargain basement price of only $300.00….
August 16th, 2007 at 9:58 pmMaybe the pentagon should just have lindsey gramcracker fill his pockets with washers next time he goes rug shopping.
Comment by bobwurst — August 16, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
and machine screws…
August 16th, 2007 at 9:59 pmThe washers could have been shipped by overnight express for 20 bucks. Having some guy personally fly there to deliver them would be less than $1,000. This goes beyond greed to thievery.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:00 pmMittop, your company doesn’t get paid by the Pentagon.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:00 pmI hope the company is forced to give back the money and then banned from future contracts.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:01 pm“… and toilet seats at the bargain basement price of only $300.00….”
That is a steal Raven!!!! Last I knew they were going for 2 grand.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:02 pmJPark > that company would charge 5 million for the cheapest toilet seat at Home Depot.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:08 pmHey look, these were special washers than had to have FAA approval. They were of topsecret anti-radar material and were machined to extremely close tolerances as needed for cruise missile technology, they are kevlar wound, graphite embedded, close tolerance, gimbal gyro, fluidically balanced, electromagnetically shielded, EMP shielded.
Sure the washers were gonna get blown apart, and the camel killed, but these are special washers!!!
Stupid liberals!!!
August 16th, 2007 at 10:10 pmooo BTW our company is
August 16th, 2007 at 10:11 pmOur government at work- just think when socialized medicine arrive we can overcharge the government as well. We know that they are such good money managers- look at SOCIAL SECURITY- bankrupt in a few yrs, 30% of our budget goes for INTEREST on our debt. If dems claim they will do better w the budget, why do they keep voting to raise the debt limit- Either way neither party is good with money management
August 16th, 2007 at 10:17 pmIf you read the whole article, you’ll see that the company was busted, the owners are fined and headed for jail. A little context, people. There was a scheme involved, that exploited a weakness in the billing system.
http://bloomberg.com/ apps/ news?pid=20601070&sid=a_pIZ20xQxeU&refer=home
August 16th, 2007 at 10:24 pmYes Keith the owners of the company got caught, but the article says the system is automated for payment, so this could be the tip of the iceberg for thievery in shipping items for the Pentagon.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:28 pmThis is excessive, no doubt.
Can you imagine trying to deliver anything to Iraq (off topic, I know)?
THe UPS guy would have to a navy seal.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:29 pmAnd the reason why these bills were paid was? I heard tonight that the GAO will be releasing a report on IRAQ on September 1. It could just blow the Whitehouse/Betrayus report out of the water. The GAO seems to be one government agency that has not yet been corrupted.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:38 pmThis is a bad joke. Right? Right? The Pentagon can’t be this Fu**ing Stupid, can they?
August 16th, 2007 at 10:43 pm“Our government at work- just think when socialized medicine arrive we can overcharge the government as well.”
Does that mean they can STOP overcharging the average Joe?
August 16th, 2007 at 10:44 pmThe article says: “Corley, 46, was fined $750,000″. Nowhere does it say that she has to repay the money. She said her sister died last year. I certainly hope that people are working on verifying that fact. Otherwise I suspect that she is somewhere in the Caribbean living it up on the 2.5 million. She will probably be a good girl and send her sister the $750,000 to pay her fine.
If our government has a payment system that would immediately pay a postage bill for $998,798, we have bigger problems than we ever knew.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:45 pm“If you read the whole article, you’ll see that the company was busted, the owners are fined and headed for jail. A little context, people. There was a scheme involved, that exploited a weakness in the billing system.”
But the $300 bolts are aok, right? That is NOT a scheme. That is the average cost to the Pentagon. keith again, sucks up to the right wing.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:46 pmGranted, I haven’t done any checking… but do you mean to tell me that the washers you described above were only 19 cents each? I have a hunch you may be talking about different washers…
August 16th, 2007 at 10:47 pm“We know that they are such good money managers- look at SOCIAL SECURITY- bankrupt in a few yrs”.
If you consider 35 years a “few years” I guess you may be right. But that is assuming that the system continues to operate the way it is operated right now. If we took all the people off the rolls who make a retirement income of over $500,000 a year, the system will be solvent forever.
You really do need to hone your talking points. Every talking point in your post is easily discredited with those pesky things called facts.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:48 pmMy suspicion is that the “loophole” was purposely put in the system to allow FOB’s to exploit it. Then a couple of sisters found out about it and started exploiting too. Kind of hard to keep something like that a secret for long. I am looking forward to hearing the total amount of our taxes that has gone down that drain.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:50 pmActually, bilbo, I think SS was supposed to still have money in infinite years. They would never go bankrupt.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:53 pmShoot this kind of money could provide healthcare for children.
But no, put the burden on the smokers.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:59 pmThis is the capital letter version of “getting screwed!”
August 16th, 2007 at 10:59 pmShoot this kind of money could provide healthcare for children.
But no, put the burden on the smokers.
Comment by Suzy Q — August 16, 2007 @ 10:59 pm
Exactly right. While I would like to see cigarettes done away with for everybody’s sake, you are spot on with that cogent wrapup.
August 16th, 2007 at 11:34 pmoh, for the good ol’ days of $200 hammers…
…
Comment by katy — August 16, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
No Shit. And $300 toilet seats.
August 16th, 2007 at 11:35 pmGeebus Horatio Kreist.
You want to solve the Social Security problem?
August 16th, 2007 at 11:36 pmToo few workers supporting too many retirees?
Simple!
Invite in more immigrants! More workers, more taxes, problem solved!
“Exactly right. While I would like to see cigarettes done away with for everybody’s sake, you are spot on with that cogent wrapup.”
Well, honestly, I don’t see the public paying the price for the nicotine rehab. It isn’t exactly the easiest drug to quit.
August 16th, 2007 at 11:40 pmpbg, great point. If you even out the worker retiree differential you would have a surplus (since they worked when the dollar was worth less).
August 16th, 2007 at 11:41 pmTaxpayers have given one trillion dollars to Iraq so I guess it’s no problem with one million for a 38 cent shipment. Somebody is a friend of the White House and pocketed 999,996.00 dollars. Yes 4 dollars to mail the two .19 cent each washers by US Post Office mail.
August 16th, 2007 at 11:55 pmThat was a laugh on BBC news today and the joke is really the American taxpayers as the World looks at the US Stock Market fall. At lease they know why it’s happening. The United States has money to give away.
Story is a bit stale, but where’s Rush and Faux? If this was done during Clinton’s day, well…..you know the drill.
August 17th, 2007 at 12:00 amNotice our drive-by trolls won’t touch this thread? Sometimes enough truth makes them crawl back into the woodwork.
August 17th, 2007 at 12:05 amCan’t say we didn’t try, upside. We even brought up the immigration issue. (you know, the one they like rubbing themselves all over.)
August 17th, 2007 at 12:15 amAh, private contractors are such a bargin for the American people. Not that Bush and Cheney are against massive war profiting or anything.
August 17th, 2007 at 12:15 amWe see the corruption and it is them….the Repukian Mafia robbing the coffers.
“If we took all the people off the rolls who make a retirement income of over $500,000 a year, the system will be solvent forever”.
So, Bilbobaggins, are you saying that the over $500,000 crowd will pay in but not get a pay out? That is stealing.
August 17th, 2007 at 12:40 amSometimes enough truth makes them crawl back into the woodwork.
Comment by upside00 — August 17, 2007 @ 12:05 am
————–
What?
Two b!tches got busted ripping of the Pentagon and now their lives are going to be destroyed. That’s about all there is to say.
August 17th, 2007 at 12:55 am“We know that they are such good money managers- look at SOCIAL SECURITY- bankrupt in a few yrsâ€.
If you consider 35 years a “few years†I guess you may be right. But that is assuming that the system continues to operate the way it is operated right now. If we took all the people off the rolls who make a retirement income of over $500,000 a year, the system will be solvent forever.
You really do need to hone your talking points. Every talking point in your post is easily discredited with those pesky things called facts.
Comment by bilbobaggins — August 16, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
you also need to add in all the illegals who when they become legal that will kill any social security. Also I dont buy facts because when social security was introduced by fdr, it was going to be voluntary, not taxed and 40 people would pay for every 1 person getting the money, now it is taxed, is pay as you go,(no fund exists) and is not voluntary, as well as 3 people are paying for every 1 recepient- that is government for you
August 17th, 2007 at 1:14 amYou want to solve the Social Security problem?
Too few workers supporting too many retirees?
Simple!
Invite in more immigrants! More workers, more taxes, problem solved!
Comment by pbg
August 17th, 2007 at 1:16 amjust remember, that many of these immigrants a using stolen soc sec #’s and are paying into the system- its still going bankrupt
A MILLION DOLLARS to ship two 19 cent washers?
:|
Great work if you can get it.
August 17th, 2007 at 2:15 amAre you a down and out Republican? Tired of seeing your Republican friends living high on the hog? I’m Jeff Gannon, president of Dewey, Cheathem and Howe Industries and I’m here to tell you about my secret in getting government contracts. My last deal, I made $455,000 in one day! How did I do that? In my special plan, I’ll give you valuable information, including a phone numbers to top govenrment officials and media credentials to the White House. All you have to do is make the call, send me $19.99, and visit my special friend at the White House. Order today and use the promo code “Karl”. Begin living in a well-cycle today! Call 1-800-DCH-RICH. 1-800-DCH-RICH now. It may hurt a little going in, but in the long run, it’s worth it. I know. Ad paid for by Dewey, Cheatem and Howe Industries, Ben Dover, President.
August 17th, 2007 at 4:18 amWhat hope do you have against people fighting to protect their homeland? On their side: strength, persistence, dignity, anger, nothing-to-loseness; on your side, greed, selfishness,incompetence, George Bush
Yankee go home! Enuf said!
August 17th, 2007 at 5:30 am#50 If you consider 35 years a “few years†I guess you may be right. But that is assuming that the system continues to operate the way it is operated right now.
And, there’s the fact that the trust fund is supposed to run out. It was the Greenspan/Moynahan plan to have the boomers pay for both their own and parents’ retirement, and then for the plan to become a pay-as-you go program again.
The panic is that once the trust fund is used up, as was always planned to happen, politicians wouldn’t be able to use it as an accounting trick to hide how big their deficits are.
August 17th, 2007 at 6:06 amFort Bliss, Texas and Cape Canaveral, Florida are “CONFLICT ZONES”????
August 17th, 2007 at 7:18 amTHERE IS NO WAR PROFITEERING IN IRAQ!!! Only service and sacrifice by defense contractors. Don’t worry. No one will be prosecuted. We have the USAs in our pocket.
August 17th, 2007 at 7:30 amIsn’t that what “free market” is all about. Getting all you can from the suckers willing to pay it? It’s what the market will bear. No need for government regulations. They just get in the way of good old American capitalism.
August 17th, 2007 at 7:39 amEx nihil, nihil procedit. It takes a war to have war profiteering.
August 17th, 2007 at 7:40 amWar on terrorism + war on drugs + war in iraq + war on iran = ‘and the money keeps rolling in!’ (and out)
August 17th, 2007 at 7:43 amYou know the twin sisters from C&D have “support our troops” bumper stickers.
August 17th, 2007 at 7:44 amWhen it gets to the point that it’s MUCH more cost-effective to just fly the supply sergeant out to the nearest Home Depot to get what he needs, it’s obvious the system must change.
August 17th, 2007 at 7:55 amThis is what happens when no oversight occurs. This should have been red-flagged and rejected for payment.
Comment by Jay Randal — August 16, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
We finally agree Jay!
August 17th, 2007 at 9:11 amLack of proper oversight causes lots of problems.
Isn’t it a gas to notice how many “successful” free market business types feed from the public trough?
August 17th, 2007 at 9:44 amThis is what happens when there’s no oversight.
August 17th, 2007 at 10:16 amI don’t intend to make any apologies for these greedy sisters, but really they’re only small fish compared to the big bilking contractors like Halliburton, Blackwater, etc. According to the documentary, “Iraq for Sale,” the CEO of Halliburton makes more than double in a year than the $20 million the twin sisters bilked the DOD for in a six-year span of time. I would personally be happiest to see some of the property belonging to Halliburton’s current and previous CEOs (yeah, Dickhead Cheney) confiscated and auctioned off.
August 17th, 2007 at 11:19 amRemember, the people who made this error are in charge of the country. They thought, “Pentagon paid $998,798 to ship two 19-cent washers. said, “Pentagon paid 19 cents to ship 998,798 washers.
It was just an honest mistake!
August 17th, 2007 at 6:48 pmMaybe they thought the washers were really big: Big enough to wash the entire Army in Iraq. “A walkthough washer for US ground troops. For cooling off.”
August 17th, 2007 at 6:50 pm