Aug 08, 2012
The notorious private military contracting firm formerly known as Blackwater has agreed to pay a fine of $7.5 million that allows it to avoid prosecution for 17 charges including arms smuggling, marking the end of a five-year federal criminal investigation, according to documents released Tuesday in a U.S. District Court in North Carolina.
"For an extended period of time, Academi/Blackwater operated in a manner which demonstrated systemic disregard for U.S. government laws and regulations," said Chris Briese, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI.
McClatchy reports that "the plea agreement details numerous times where Blackwater played fast and loose with the rules governing the export of military goods and ideas."
According to a statement, the investigation found "an array of criminal allegations including export and International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) allegations involving the manufacture and shipment of short-barreled rifles, fully automatic weapons, armored helicopters, armored personnel carriers, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) allegations in both Iraq and Sudan, unlicensed training of foreign nationals and firearms violations."
The Deferred Prosecution Agreement in the deal allows the company to avoid prosecution, only admitting to the actions listed while submitting to a period of supervision during which time "the government acknowledges the company's efforts to reform its conduct and to mitigate the damage caused by that conduct."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
The notorious private military contracting firm formerly known as Blackwater has agreed to pay a fine of $7.5 million that allows it to avoid prosecution for 17 charges including arms smuggling, marking the end of a five-year federal criminal investigation, according to documents released Tuesday in a U.S. District Court in North Carolina.
"For an extended period of time, Academi/Blackwater operated in a manner which demonstrated systemic disregard for U.S. government laws and regulations," said Chris Briese, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI.
McClatchy reports that "the plea agreement details numerous times where Blackwater played fast and loose with the rules governing the export of military goods and ideas."
According to a statement, the investigation found "an array of criminal allegations including export and International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) allegations involving the manufacture and shipment of short-barreled rifles, fully automatic weapons, armored helicopters, armored personnel carriers, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) allegations in both Iraq and Sudan, unlicensed training of foreign nationals and firearms violations."
The Deferred Prosecution Agreement in the deal allows the company to avoid prosecution, only admitting to the actions listed while submitting to a period of supervision during which time "the government acknowledges the company's efforts to reform its conduct and to mitigate the damage caused by that conduct."
The notorious private military contracting firm formerly known as Blackwater has agreed to pay a fine of $7.5 million that allows it to avoid prosecution for 17 charges including arms smuggling, marking the end of a five-year federal criminal investigation, according to documents released Tuesday in a U.S. District Court in North Carolina.
"For an extended period of time, Academi/Blackwater operated in a manner which demonstrated systemic disregard for U.S. government laws and regulations," said Chris Briese, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI.
McClatchy reports that "the plea agreement details numerous times where Blackwater played fast and loose with the rules governing the export of military goods and ideas."
According to a statement, the investigation found "an array of criminal allegations including export and International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) allegations involving the manufacture and shipment of short-barreled rifles, fully automatic weapons, armored helicopters, armored personnel carriers, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) allegations in both Iraq and Sudan, unlicensed training of foreign nationals and firearms violations."
The Deferred Prosecution Agreement in the deal allows the company to avoid prosecution, only admitting to the actions listed while submitting to a period of supervision during which time "the government acknowledges the company's efforts to reform its conduct and to mitigate the damage caused by that conduct."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.