Whistleblowers Unveil More ArmorGroup Allegations

By GottaLaff

Original posts here and here.

Class-wise, this group ranks right down there with people like Joe Wilson. Maybe he'd consider signing up? Nah, Wilson could never pass the physical... although he'd most likely be into that whole pee thing:

In a press conference revolving around an unlawful-termination lawsuit filed against ArmorGroup, former senior company officials said ArmorGroup was aware of widespread fraud; intentional use of non-English speaking guards to save money at the expense of embassy security; operations of a shell corporation in order to win contracts intended only for American companies; and even involvement in prostitution — and that the State Department knew about at least some of the company’s illicit practices.

Oy.

Lots and lots more here.

"Animal House" ArmorGroup Forces Embassy Whistleblower to Resign

By GottaLaff

By now you're familiar with the "Animal House" style "hazing" that took place in Kabul (original posts here and here).

It looks like the wrong people are being forced out:

How is ArmorGroup responding to the allegations that it's Kabul embassy guards were engaging in a range of unbecoming conduct? The firm has so far declined to issue any comment. Behind the scenes, however, it has taken swift action, though not against those of its employees who engaged in or approved of lewd behavior, humiliating hazing rituals, and other practices that put the embassy at risk. Rather, says the Project on Government Oversight, the company has retaliated against one of the whistleblowers who brought these explosive allegations to the watchdog group's attention:

One of the whistleblowers who helped expose the guard scandal at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul has just been forced to resign after his company—whose client is ArmorGroup, North America (AGNA)—came to believe that he had reached out to D.C. for assistance. The company told POGO that the whistleblower’s resignation was voluntary.

However, information obtained by the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) strongly suggests he was pressured into resigning to avoid being fired, an action often referred to as constructive dismissal.

POGO is deeply concerned about the action allegedly taken against the whistleblower. He is being forced out at a time when three of the supervisors responsible for allowing the misconduct at Camp Sullivan have been allowed to quietly resign and escape accountability. As per our letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of September 1, 2009, POGO calls on the State Department to take immediate action to protect both the physical and employment security of whistleblowers who have stepped forward with allegations of serious misconduct involving ArmorGroup, North America and others.

There is a lot more to read, and I suggest you do.

This is unacceptable on so many levels. The State Department better kick all the right butts on this one, or their credibility will be shot. This entire episode gets more appalling by the day.

It's time to for State to clean up ArmorGroup's act, and their own, immediately.

In fact, it's time to have a serious investigation into these so-called contractors. Blackwater/Xe and ArmorGroup have got to go, and our military needs to go back to doing the work they used to do.

Secretary of State calls for investigation of "Animal House" security contractors

By GottaLaff

Photos via Gawker. Follow the link for more frat party on crack photos.

Per a presser just now on MSNBC, the State Department is going to send a team to Kabul to investigate the Animal House style "hazing" craziness that I posted about here yesterday.

Liveblog:

The spokesman said they weren't aware of some of the activities, but knew there were issues with language, 14 hour days, employees verging on physical exhaustion. Then the pictures came out, of the groping, the peeing on each other, eating chips out of butt cracks, and everything else I mentioned earlier, including the prostitutes.

So, yes, an investigation has been ordered by Secretary of State Clinton.

But why did it take Gawker to spur an investigation of... security contractors? Why didn't POGO feel that releasing the information elsewhere would get the attention they needed in order to get someone to listen? Sad commentary, if, indeed, they felt the need to resort to Gawker to get this kicked this into the public eye.

Sadder still is what has been taking place at our embassy and how many thousands the guards over at the State Department facilities in Kabul pull in while so many of us can barely scrape up enough money for a mammogram or a life-saving medical procedure.

Security contractors in Afghanistan: Drunken brawls, prostitutes, pee on people, threaten subordinates

By GottaLaff

Will somebody please explain how the administration can justify renewing contracts with Blackwa-- er, Xe-- and now ArmorGroup? Between GmailFail and this, my head is exploding:

Drunken brawls, prostitutes, hazing and humiliation, taking vodka shots out of buttcracks— no, the perpetrators of these Animal House-like antics aren't some depraved frat brothers. They are the private security contractors guarding Camp Sullivan, otherwise known as the US Embassy in Kabul.

Oh, but it's not just hazing, it's "deviant hazing."

Guards have come to POGO with allegations and photographic evidence that some supervisors and guards are engaging in near-weekly deviant hazing and humiliation of subordinates. [...] The lewd and deviant behavior of approximately 30 supervisors and guards has resulted in complete distrust of leadership and a breakdown of the chain of command, compromising security.

Numerous emails, photographs, and videos portray a Lord of the Flies environment. One email from a current guard describes scenes in which guards and supervisors are "peeing on people, eating potato chips out of [buttock] cracks, vodka shots out of [buttock] cracks (there is video of that one), broken doors after drnken [sic] brawls, threats and intimidation from those leaders participating in this activity…." Photograph after photograph shows guards—including supervisors—at parties in various stages of nudity, sometimes fondling each other. These parties take place just a few yards from the housing of other supervisors.

Multiple guards say this deviant hazing has created a climate of fear and coercion, with those who declined to participate often ridiculed, humiliated, demoted, or even fired. The result is an environment that is dangerous and volatile. Some guards have reported barricading themselves in their rooms for fear that those carrying out the hazing will harm them physically. Others have reported that AGNA management has begun to conduct a witch hunt to identify employees who have provided information about this atmosphere to POGO.

Aw, come on, that's not so bad. Remember, BushCo and other Rushpublics claim waterboarding is tantamount to splashing water in someone's face. If torture could be compared to a frat party, so could this, right? Pfft. What's a little peeing between, er, on, friends?

These allegations, and many more, are contained in a letter sent to Secretary of State of Hillary Clinton on Tuesday by the Project on Government Oversight, which has been investigating the embassy security contract held by ArmorGroup North America (a subsidiary of Wackenhut, which is in turn owned by the security behemoth G4S). The contractor was the subject of a congressional probe earlier this summer that found serious lapses in the company's handling of the embassy security contract, which internal State Department documents said left the embassy compound "in jeopardy." Nevertheless, the government opted to extend the company's 5-year, $189 million contract for another year.

Xe what I mean? I think oversight needs a little oversight.

These allegations raise serious questions about why ArmorGroup has been allowed to retain this important contract, which gives the company the responsibility for protecting the lives of the hundreds of diplomats, officials, and others who work within the embassy compound. Also in question is the State Department's ability to provide adequate oversight of contractors under its jurisdiction.

I am refraining from any wisecracks about butt cracks. But I will not refrain from reiterating the seriousness of this insanity. I kid because I'm appalled. This is horrendous, and that these contracts continue to be extended is beyond belief.

I have a feeling that tonight, Keith Olbermann will not be refraining at all.

H/t: David Shuster