Defense Contractor With Ties To McConnell Will Plead Guilty On False Statements Charge ($400M fine)

[babylonsister]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/defense_contractor_with_ties_to_mcconnell_will_ple.php?ref=fpb

Defense Contractor With Ties To McConnell Will Plead Guilty On False Statements Charge
Zachary Roth | February 5, 2010, 2:35PM


A British defense contractor with ties to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has agreed to plead guilty to having misled the government about payments that may have been used to help win contracts Saudi Arabia, the Justice Department has announced.

In a joint agreement with the U.S. and U.K., BAE Systems will pay a $400 million fine.

Earlier this week, we reported that McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from from BAE, and has steered millions in earmarks toward the firm, which operates a facility in the Bluegrass State.

Last week, McConnell spoke on the Senate floor to oppose a Democratic effort to ensure that foreign corporations can't spend money to sway U.S. elections.

The Justice Department investigation, which began eight years ago, was focused on payments made by BAE, the world's second largest defense contractor, as part of a contract to supply military equipment to Saudi Arabia. The Justice Department alleged that BAE had told the government that it had put anti-bribery preventative measures in place, but had not in fact done so.

Then, says DOJ in the charging document, BAE "made hundreds of millions of dollars in payments to third parties, while knowing of a high probability that money would be passed on to foreign government decision makers to favor BAE in the award of defense contracts."

McConnell's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

[WhiteTara]

1. McConnell needs to be called

here's his number
McConnell, Mitch - (R - KY)
361A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm

[babylonsister]

2. And tell him what? That he shouldn't rub elbows with the company

who filled his coffers? Somehow, I don't think he'll listen to anything any of us say.

[WhiteTara]

3. he doesn't have to "listen"

it is enough that he hears there is dissent. And yes, he was taking foreign money BEFORE the supremes blessed his perfidy.
The need some static.
McConnell, Mitch - (R - KY) Class II
361A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm