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Title: Border Patrol investigation over kickbacks is criticized
Source:
AZ Central
URL Source: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0601fraud-border01.html
Published: Jun 1, 2005
Author: Susan Carroll
Post Date: 2005-06-01 14:53:15 by Mr Nuke Buzzcut
Keywords: investigation, criticized, kickbacks
Views: 212
Comments: 7
Border Patrol investigation over kickbacks is criticized Susan Carroll TUCSON - The U.S. Office of Special Counsel on Tuesday criticized the U.S. Border Patrol's investigations into allegations that agents in Arizona ran an extensive kickback scheme, calling a series of inquiries "deficient." The Border Patrol's investigations stemmed from whistle-blower complaints that agents temporarily stationed in the border city of Douglas submitted doctored receipts for reimbursement or made kickback deals with landlords from January 2000 to April 2002. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., estimated in 2003 that the fraud, investigated by the Office of Inspector General, cost taxpayers "hundreds of thousands of dollars." But years after the allegations first surfaced, the Border Patrol had not taken any disciplinary action, according to the OSC, an independent agency created to protect whistle-blowers. Internal investigations by the Border Patrol found no evidence of a cover-up or criminal wrongdoing. The OSC asked for an inquiry by then-Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, who released a report in March 2004 citing 45 instances of proposed disciplinary action. It was unclear Tuesday what action was taken or how many agents were involved. Border Patrol officials did not return phone calls late Tuesday. The OSC criticized the Homeland Security investigation for not addressing allegations by whistle-blowers that the Border Patrol knew about the scheme and failed to act. "Owning to the sheer numbers involved, it stretches credulity that 45 employees at a single Border Patrol station engaged in a kickback and fraud scheme for a number of years and warranting severe discipline without the knowledge of the management," the OSC said in the statement. Special Counsel Scott J. Bloch called for a more thorough investigation and forwarded a report Tuesday to Congress and President Bush. In the statement, Bloch warned that "there is a real risk of creating the appearance of a whitewash" by not more thoroughly investigating supervisors. The report by the Office of Inspector General found that some agents in southeastern Arizona took advantage of daily stipends paid by the federal government. For example, an agent temporarily assigned to Tucson from San Diego could be reimbursed up to $55 a night for lodging. The agents would pay $35 a night and get a receipt for $55, investigators said.
Republic Tucson Bureau
Jun. 1, 2005 12:00 AM
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#1. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#0)
Oh for pity's sake! Try paying these guys a living wage. Last I heard they aren't paid much. Certainly not enough to dodge the increasing number of bullets. Go find out what happened to the $TRILLION dollars that went missing from the Pentagon under Dov Zakheim as comptroller. Or, the $8.8 billion missing in Iraq. After these mysteries are solved, then maybe you can go after the Border Patrol.
Dov Zakheim = Israel Espionage, And Embezzlement.
For example, an agent temporarily assigned to Tucson from San Diego could be reimbursed up to $55 a night for lodging. The agents would pay $35 a night and get a receipt for $55, investigators said.
#2. To: robin (#1)
 | Smashing Evil And Idiocy, One Idiot At A Time. |
#3. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#2)
Yes, it probably isn't quite the mystery it appears. But, since most Americans don't even know he "lost" a trillion dollars, that news would be required to be reported in the MSM first. MarineInspector on LP once reported what the agents are paid. It was not much. And they are complaining that they might be keeping $20, at the same time the Mexican Drug lords are shooting even more bullets at our Border Patrol agents.
#4. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#0)
Hmm let's see... how much $$ did the Bush administration pay out so far to "journalists" to propagandize the people? Hundreds of thousands of dollars!! Some animals are more equal...
#5. To: robin (#1)
Sorry, but I can't condone corruption at any level of government. These boys don't get a wash just because the corruption runs deeper the higher you go. That's tax money they're stealing and tax money comes out of my pocket against my will.
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#6. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#5)
I'm saying to start with the major corruption then work down to the lesser. This straining a gnat and swallowing a camel is absurd.
#7. To: robin (#6)
I see it differently. The supervisors and managers who are involved in this small level of corruption are the ones who will work their way up through mid-level bureaucracy into the head roles in future years. They are the ones who will take these practices to the big leagues in the future. Stopping them now is important. At the same time, there's no excuse for letting the big crimes slide just because we prosecute the smaller fish. It's not an either/or proposition.
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