Sioux Manufacturing Busted For Under-Weaving Kevlar In Helmets

Sioux Manufacturing Busted in Document Release Today
by: Brandon Friedman
Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 13:26:04 PM EST


CREW, VoteVets.org, and two of Sioux Manufacturing's former employees dealt a severe blow to the defense contractor's case this morning when they released taped recordings showing that Sioux management was aware that it was under-weaving the Kevlar used in helmets.

We've been writing about the Sioux Manufacturing/crappy helmet issue here at VetVoice since the New York Times first wrote about the issue over three weeks ago. To sum up, defense sub-contractor Sioux Manufacturing, was accused by two company whistleblowers, Jeff Kenner and Tamra Elshaug, of under-weaving the Kevlar used in 2.2 million combat helmets. A Justice Department investigation was begun and Sioux eventually settled with the government for $2 million.

But it didn't stop there. Only 12 days before the settlement, Sioux Manufacturing was awarded another government contract for more Kevlar worth millions. This was in addition to the MRAP armor contract they received in November--while still under investigation for producing substandard helmet protection.

The tapes released this morning show that Rhea Crane, the Sioux Manufacturing Quality Assurance Manager, was not only aware that the company was shortchanging America's troops, but that she was concerned about what would happen if this was ever discovered. From the transcript of the tapes:



How do you like that, troops? Your government is apparently doling out multi-million-dollar contracts to companies that are deliberately fucking you.

more...

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=658

:sarcasm:

:grr:

Send them into the most insurgent-ridden, mine-filled area in the whole Middle East with the armor their own company made.

If it's good enough for the Army's riggers, it should be good enough for defense procurement criminals.

I can't believe military soldiers voted for asshat George Bush. I bet they're sorry now.

http://www.siouxmanufacturing.com/contactus.htm

Sioux Manufacturing Corporation
P.O. Box 400
Fort Totten, North Dakota 58335-0400
(701) 766-4211
(701) 766-4228 Fax
siouxman@siouxmanufacturing.com

I guess two million dollars is the net worth of 2.2 million soldiers. Keep your heads down brothers and sisters in the military.

I started out calmly stating "You should all be ashamed of yourselves for killing our troops".

The receptionist hung up.

:grr: