Tag Archives: contractors

Business/Economics, U.S.

GAO study shows U.S. companies that get taxpayer money owe $750 million in back taxes

The Government Accountability Office released a study that showed that some of the government contractors that got paid with taxpayer “stimulus” money, don’t pay taxes.

The GAO says 3,700 contractors who got stimulus money, owe back taxes.  That’s about 5% of the contractors that got the taxpayer money.  Some of the contractors that avoided paying taxes include construction companies and companies that specialize in social services.

While 5% may not seem like much, the GAO says that 5% owes $750 million in back taxes.

 

 

 

International, U.S.

Afghanistan corruption linked directly to U.S. military

“[They] discussed the history of America and how it was built on the back of others, ultimately concluding that ‘fleecing the government’ was the American way.”-statement by prosecutors concerning corruption charges against U.S. military officers in Afghanistan

Recently an Afghan contractor plead guilty in U.S. court, to bribing U.S. military officers.  Those officers did not come forward with the crime, instead they committed the crime.

The prosecution is recommending one year for the Afghan contractor, because they say his bribery was typical, and he actually did a good job as a contractor.  But the case against the Afghan contractor is actually part of an investigation into corruption inside the United States military.

In most cases, U.S. military officers in Afghanistan decide what contractor will get the job.  Many Afghans have responded to complaints of corruption by saying they have to bribe the U.S. in order to get the job.

Currently two Illinois National Guard officers, and one USAF Sergeant, are facing corruption charges.  They were taking bribes from potential contractors in Afghanistan.  One of the National Guardsmen admitted to the crime.  Both Guardsmen were mailing the cash back home.  One of the packages was intercepted by Customs in the United Kingdom, upon inspection $10,000 was found inside.

Afghan contractors say one of the National Guard officers told them they were in Afghanistan to become rich.