Witness describes taking bribe in return for Kuwaiti contracts

Source: QuadCities

Posted online: April 17, 2008 6:34 PM
Print publication date: 04/17/2008
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By Brian Krans, bkrans@qconline.com

ROCK ISLAND - A former administrator for a U.S.-based defense contractor testified Thursday that a managing partner of a major Kuwaiti contracting company bribed him for contracts in 2003.

That company is under fire for cost over runs and delays on a new U.S. embassy in Kuwait.

Anthony Martin, formerly of Kellogg, Brown and Root, admitted that Wadih Al-Absi, founder of First Kuwaiti General Trading & Contracting Co., agreed to pay him $50,240 for contracts on refrigerated trucks to aid troops stationed in Kuwait.

Mr. Martin testified in U.S. District Court, Rock Island, in the trial of his former boss, Jeff Alex Mazon, 39, of the Chicago suburb of Country Club Hills, who is charged with four counts of major fraud against the United States and six counts of wire fraud ...

Read more: http://www.qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=383226

from the article:
Thursday in court, Mr. Martin testified that he accepted a $10,000 advance in kickbacks in June 2003 from Mr. Al-Absi to ensure he would be awarded contracts for the 50 refrigerated trucks and 50 semi-tractor trailers on six month leases. The remaining $40,240 was to be paid to him later.

"I gave him inside information and made sure he got the contracts," Mr. Martin said.

Mr. Martin's $50,000 in kickbacks were incorporated into the $4.6 million subcontract to First Kuwaiti that the government ultimately paid.


Going back to the early days (this was 2003) this was about how to make MORE money for the company and for the workers - on the government's dime, rather than about providing the best services at the best price to service the needs of the troops.

Yea, privatization works just great. :sarcasm: