Blackwater Founder Implicated in Murder

[leekohler]

A former Blackwater employee and an ex-US Marine who has worked as a security operative for the company have made a series of explosive allegations in sworn statements filed on August 3 in federal court in Virginia. The two men claim that the company's owner, Erik Prince, may have murdered or facilitated the murder of individuals who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. The former employee also alleges that Prince "views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe," and that Prince's companies "encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life."


In their testimony, both men also allege that Blackwater was smuggling weapons into Iraq. One of the men alleges that Prince turned a profit by transporting "illegal" or "unlawful" weapons into the country on Prince's private planes. They also charge that Prince and other Blackwater executives destroyed incriminating videos, emails and other documents and have intentionally deceived the US State Department and other federal agencies. The identities of the two individuals were sealed out of concerns for their safety.

I saw a snippet about this on ABC too. Oh man. If this is true, this is going to get very ugly, very quickly.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090817/scahill

[dukebound85]

The whole concept of Blackwater has always been slightly disturbing to me

[thegoldenmackid]

Originally Posted by dukebound85

The whole concept of Blackwater has always been slightly disturbing to me

Nothing new, guns for hire.

[dukebound85]

Originally Posted by thegoldenmackid

Nothing new, guns for hire.

Oh I know lol

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by dukebound85

Oh I know lol

Speaking of which...what's going on with you and the military thing?

OT- if I were these witnesses, I'd be scared out of my mind right now.

[dukebound85]

Originally Posted by leekohler

Speaking of which...what's going on with you and the military thing?

I'm still looking into it, just want to think things through

I'm really confused with what I want to do with my life to be honest lol

I agree, if I were a witnness, I'd be nervous too...like the mafia

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by dukebound85

I'm still looking into it, just want to think things through

I'm really confused with what I want to do with my life to be honest lol

I agree, if I were a witnness, I'd be nervous too...like the mafia

Yep- I'd be looking around every corner.

[sushi]

Originally Posted by leekohler

Yep- I'd be looking around every corner.

Actually, I don't believe that you would be.

If the article is accurate, then these folks are probably in the U.S. Marshals Service protection and will be place into the Witness Protection Program.

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by sushi

Actually, I don't believe that you would be.

If the article is accurate, then these folks are probably in the U.S. Marshals Service protection and will be place into the Witness Protection Program.

Would that necessarily keep you safe? We're talking about experts here.

[Thomas Veil]

Saw this on Countdown tonight.

This is so bizarre, I almost have a hard time believing it.

Except for the fact that there are two witnesses who say virtually the same thing.

This guy Prince is like a cross between Jimmy Swaggart and some bad James Bond villain.

[sushi]

Originally Posted by leekohler

Would that necessarily keep you safe? We're talking about experts here.

I would say yes. The skill sets are different if you will.

Edit: I do agree with you that there is risk. However, over the years, the WiTSEC has successfully helped many individuals and protected them from drug Cartels, OC and others. So far they've not lost a single witness according to what I've seen. Unfortunately, there is always the chance that this record could be broken.

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by Thomas Veil

Saw this on Countdown tonight.

This is so bizarre, I almost have a hard time believing it.

Except for the fact that there are two witnesses who say virtually the same thing.

This guy Prince is like a cross between Jimmy Swaggart and some bad James Bond villain.

I'm surprised more people aren't talking about it. This is just crazy to me.

[Thomas Veil]

I think...I hope...this is just the beginning. I'll be very disappointed if this doesn't get covered more in the weeks and months ahead.

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by Thomas Veil

I think...I hope...this is just the beginning. I'll be very disappointed if this doesn't get covered more in the weeks and months ahead.

I think it will. This is beyond scary. I agree with you that it's good that it's coming out. Hopefully, this is the end of organizations like this.

[sushi]

Originally Posted by leekohler

I'm surprised more people aren't talking about it. This is just crazy to me.

It's in the initial stages so who knows what will develop.

If I understand the article, the two are second hand witnesses. This creates issues in itself when the case is brought to trial. First hand witnesses are always much better. It's easy for lawyers to twist what second hand witnesses overheard or observed of the first hand witnesses.

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by sushi

It's in the initial stages so who knows what will develop.

If I understand the article, the two are second hand witnesses. This creates issues in itself when the case is brought to trial. First hand witnesses are always much better. It's easy for lawyers to twist what second hand witnesses overheard or observed of the first hand witnesses.

I guess it's tough when those people are dead.

[bruinsrme]

Originally Posted by leekohler

I think it will. This is beyond scary. I agree with you that it's good that it's coming out. Hopefully, this is the end of organizations like this.

No it won't end groups like this.
They will simply dismantle, some one new will "start up" another company and recruit those formerly in black water.

obviously there is a need for a supplemental security agency, whether domestic or not.

One thing I learned while I was in the service, what makes te news is one thing, what's really happening is something totally inconceivable to the general public.

[pelicanflip]

Did we not learn anything about PMC'S through the Bourne series and Metal Gear Solid!?

CHAOS I TELLS U, CHAOS!

[Wotan31]

Originally Posted by dukebound85

The whole concept of Blackwater has always been slightly disturbing to me

Nothing wrong with the concept. It's this one company. There are many like it, but you won't hear their names in the news. You keep hearing about BW because they keep f$#ing up. Of all the private security firms operating on gov't contracts in the middle east, BW is known as being "different" from the others. Different in the sense that they'll hire anyone, their standards are very relaxed, they're not the top performing organization in this line of work; far from it. Heck, the new Iraqi gov't specifically banned them, by name, but allows all the other private sec firms to continue working there.

There are plenty of other private security firms operating there that have flawless performance records and do everything properly and by the numbers. Don't drag them down because of the actions of one.

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by Wotan31

Nothing wrong with the concept. It's this one company. There are many like it, but you won't hear their names in the news. You keep hearing about BW because they keep f$#ing up. Of all the private security firms operating on gov't contracts in the middle east, BW is known as being "different" from the others. Different in the sense that they'll hire anyone, their standards are very relaxed, they're not the top performing organization in this line of work; far from it. Heck, the new Iraqi gov't specifically banned them, by name, but allows all the other private sec firms to continue working there.

There are plenty of other private security firms operating there that have flawless performance records and do everything properly and by the numbers. Don't drag them down because of the actions of one.

Sounds like Blackwater didn't screw up though. Sounds to me as if everything they did was intentional.

[iShater]

Originally Posted by leekohler

Sounds like Blackwater didn't screw up though. Sounds to me as if everything they did was intentional.

Yep. A friend of mine emailed yesterday to check out the news. I can't believe crap like this gets millions of $$ in our money to do operations.

[bruinsrme]

Originally Posted by iShater

Yep. A friend of mine emailed yesterday to check out the news. I can't believe crap like this gets millions of $$ in our money to do operations.

just the tip of the iceberg

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by iShater

Yep. A friend of mine emailed yesterday to check out the news. I can't believe crap like this gets millions of $$ in our money to do operations.

So what happens if this guy gets convicted? Does everyone else involved go down too?

[bruinsrme]

Originally Posted by leekohler

So what happens if this guy gets convicted? Does everyone else involved go down too?

Right now I am sure a work agency is looking for some candidates
Help Wanted:
Shredders r Us is looking for temporary help in a secluded location recycling office documents into pulp for reuse.
transportation,uniforms, housing, and all meals included, but does require on site living for a period not less than 3 months.
competitive wages.
Free access to massages and full gym, and workout classes.

Job requirements:
Reading comprehension less than 1st grade level.
Able to identify a green and red button,
Lift 40 pounds without assistance
Work in a noisy environment with hearing protection

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by bruinsrme

Right now I am sure a work agency is looking for some candidates
Help Wanted:
Shredders r Us is looking for temporary help in a secluded location recycling office documents into pulp for reuse.
transportation,uniforms, housing, and all meals included, but does require on site living for a period not less than 3 months.
competitive wages.
Free access to massages and full gym, and workout classes.

Job requirements:
Reading comprehension less than 1st grade level.
Able to identify a green and red button,
Lift 40 pounds without assistance
Work in a noisy environment with hearing protection

You forgot one:
Ability to follow directions without question.