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DoD IG Report on Electrical Finds KBR Responsible

 

DoD IG Report on Electrical Finds KBR Responsible

 

 

For those of you unfamiliar with Ms. Sparky's blog concerning KBR Electrical Failures, Death of Soldiers due to Faulty Electrical Work in Iraq/Afghanistan, please follow the links and read on.  It is well worth your time.  If the links aren’t working, go to Ms. Sparky’s website at:  http://mssparky.com/

 -GFS

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Ms. Sparky’s Blog Updates

 

 

I have been traveling and am behind on my comment responses. I hope to get those caught up within the next day or so. Thanks to my faithful readers for their insightful comments. 

 

To read all of my recent posts click HERE and scroll down.

 

The big news is the Department of Defense Inspector General's Reports are out on the electrocutions in Iraq and the electrical situation is Afghanistan. There are three full reports.

 

In summary...the DoDIG found KBR responsible in part for the death of SSG Ryan Maseth who was electrocuted in his shower. The DoD is also found responsible for their lack of oversight.

 

If you can get to Ms Sparky I have them all posted. If you can't click HERE to go to the DoD IG website to download them. They will be the three dated 7/24/2009. If KBR has blocked that site as well, email me and I will send them to you.

 

One would hope the Army CID would be filing criminal charges soon. I hope Fluor, Dyncorp, CSA and every other DoD contractor is taking notice. Unsupervised play time in the "sandbox" is over!

 

I am working on a lawsuits page that will list all the lawsuits against KBR and any suits that KBR has filed with regards to LOGCAP. If you know of a lawsuit filed against KBR shoot me an email. If you can send me a copy of the petition/complaint that would be great.

 

I have also added several new categories including "Indictments, Convictions & Arrests" hopefully we will be getting some more of those with regards to the electrocutions.

 

I am still getting a ton of complaints about CSA in Kuwait. I don't know what the DCMA is doing down there. But you must contact the DoDIG with EVERY complaint. Click HERE to read about that. So far not too many complaints about Fluor...yet. But I am so afraid the way CSA, Dyncorp and Fluor are sucking up KBR managers that they will be turning into KBR times 3!!

 

I get asked all the time how to report Fraud, Waste and Abuse to the DoD. I have blogged about it before click HERE for that. So many people are afraid to contact their companies own ethics hotline because of threats of retaliation. Please report any retaliation to the DoDIG Hotline as well. If in doubt just report it. Be specific. Don't use acronyms. The hotline number is open M-F 8-5 EST. Or you can email them anytime.

 

 

 

 

I have been getting some complaints that people are calling in reports and then calling back to follow up and the hotline is claiming they have no record of the call. I strongly suggest that you email the report and make sure you keep a copy for yourself.

 

If you have any information about prostitution rings in the DoD camps in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait or in Dubai, Thailand the Philippines or anywhere else for that matter please email me. You can read my post on that HERE.

 

I have gotten several emails about what is going to happen in Afghanistan with regards to KBR employees and the transition. I recommend you keep doing your job the best you can. Fluor and Dyncorp aren't keeping me as updated as I would like (sarcasm), but I find it hard to believe they would not pick up many of the craft and people who actually do the work. It just doesn't make financial or logistical sense to start out at ground zero. It's the majority of KBR management who need that one way plane ticket to the States. So just be patient and flexible.

 

I know KBR is going to put on the pressure with threats and intimidation. That is their MO. Just be smart! They can still fire you.

 

Also, I am looking for few former O&M crafts. All trades. Shoot me and email. Thanks.

 

If you have questions you can email me by replying to this Update.

 

Be safe!!

 

 

Ms Sparky

(aka Debbie Crawford)

 

 

Another Senate Hearing on KBR's Electrical Work Failures

This came today from tireless whistleblower and whistleblower advocate, Ms. Sparky.  Link to Ms. Sparky’s webpage:   http://mssparky.com/

 

 

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Ms Sparky's Blog Updates

 

Senator Dorgan, D-ND, Chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold ANOTHER hearing on KBR's electrical work in the Middle East. I am posting the press release here for those in the middle east who are blocked from MsSparky.com For those who aren't you can click HERE

 

 

Senate Democratic Policy Committee Hearing

 

 

 

"Rewarding Failure: Contractor Bonuses for Faulty Work in Iraq"

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

628 Dirksen Senate Office Building

 

 

This hearing will examine bonuses paid by the Department of Defense (DoD) to contractor KBR in 2007 and 2008, despite the company's grossly incompetent electrical work in Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of U.S. soldiers and significant property damage caused by electrical fires.  Witnesses at the hearing will describe how the company failed to hire qualified personnel, performed electrical work in a manner that continues to place our troops in grave danger, and failed to make repairs once hazards were identified.  The hearing, which will be the nineteenth hearing held by the DPC on contracting abuses and corruption in Iraq, will also focus on the need to reform DoD's fee award system.

 

Witnesses

 

James Childs:  Mr. Childs, a Master Electrician hired by the Army to review KBR's electrical work in Iraq in 2008, will testify that the electrical work performed by KBR in Iraq was the worst he has seen in his 30-year career.  Mr. Childs will testify that the great majority of the buildings KBR worked on were improperly wired.  He will also testify about the difficulty he had working with KBR to correct the problems.

 

Eric Peters:  Mr. Peters, a Master Electrician, worked for KBR at Al Asad Airbase, Camp Striker, and Camp Warrior in Iraq.  He worked in Iraq from February 2009 through April 2009, when he resigned in response to KBR's disregard for safety and its inability to perform quality electrical work.  Mr. Peters will testify about KBR's poor performance, which resulted in part from the substandard, inferior materials used by the company, and the lack of qualified individuals serving in management.

 

Charles Smith:  Mr. Smith, who managed the LOGCAP III contract for the Pentagon, was forced out of his job in 2004 when he refused to approve paying KBR more than $1 billion in questionable charges.  Had Mr. Smith not been ousted from his job, he would have continued to oversee KBR's performance under LOGCAP III.  He will testify about the need to reform DoD's award fee process.  In November 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld awarded Mr. Smith the Department of Defense's Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service.

 

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If you can't make it to DC to watch this hearing hopefully it will be on C-SPAN. I will get the videos on Ms Sparky as soon as possible.

 

My personal thanks to Senator Dorgan, chairman of the Senate DPC, for his true "unwavering commitment" to the safety of our soldiers and civilians and financial responsibility to US taxpayers. Also...a big thanks to Holly and Leslie who made it all happen!!

 

Please forward to those who might be interested in this information. If you are in the States forward to those friends and family in the Middle East.

 

I know KBR is going to put on the pressure with threats and intimidation. That is their MO. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and your family. If you need to unsubscribe all together, I get it!

 

If you have questions you can email me by replying to this Update.

 

Be safe!!

 

 

Ms Sparky

(aka Debbie Crawford)

 

 

 

 

Here is the original announcement sent out by Leslie Gross-Davis (DPC)

 

“Rewarding Failure: 

Contractor Bonuses for Faulty Work in Iraq”

 

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

628 Dirksen Senate Office Building

This hearing will examine bonuses paid by the Department of Defense (DoD) to contractor KBR in 2007 and 2008, despite the company’s grossly incompetent electrical work in Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of U.S. soldiers and significant property damage caused by electrical fires.  Witnesses at the hearing will describe how the company failed to hire qualified personnel, performed electrical work in a manner that continues to place our troops in grave danger, and failed to make repairs once hazards were identified.  The hearing, which will be the nineteenth hearing held by the DPC on contracting abuses and corruption in Iraq, will also focus on the need to reform DoD’s fee award system.

Witnesses

James Childs:  Mr. Childs, a Master Electrician hired by the Army to review KBR’s electrical work in Iraq in 2008, will testify that the electrical work performed by KBR in Iraq was the worst he has seen in his 30-year career.  Mr. Childs will testify that the great majority of the buildings KBR worked on were improperly wired.  He will also testify about the difficulty he had working with KBR to correct the problems.

 

Eric Peters:  Mr. Peters, a Master Electrician, worked for KBR at Al Asad Airbase, Camp Striker, and Camp Warrior in Iraq.  He worked in Iraq from February 2009 through April 2009, when he resigned in response to KBR’s disregard for safety and its inability to perform quality electrical work.  Mr. Peters will testify about KBR’s poor performance, which resulted in part from the substandard, inferior materials used by the company, and the lack of qualified individuals serving in management.

 

Charles Smith:  Mr. Smith, who managed the LOGCAP III contract for the Pentagon, was forced out of his job in 2004 when he refused to approve paying KBR more than $1 billion in questionable charges.  Had Mr. Smith not been ousted from his job, he would have continued to oversee KBR’s performance under LOGCAP III.  He will testify about the need to reform DoD’s award fee process.  In November 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld awarded Mr. Smith the Department of Defense’s Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service.

 

KBR Blocks Servers From Allowing Viewing or Emailing Ms. Sparky's Website

Dedicated KBR/Halliburton Whistleblower, Ms. Sparky, has been the target of a weasel attack by KBR, who blocked her site on their company servers.  Anyone working overseas for the company, is now blocked and cannot read or communicate with Ms. Sparky if it goes through any of the KBR servers. 

Ms. Sparky is still putting together information for the legal actions which are proceeding on against KBR.  Please read the following information to see if you know any of the people, or any information which may be useful in prosecuting and winning the cases currently in process.  Thanks,  GFS

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KBR has blocked MsSparky.com from their servers. I'm not surprised. What does surprise me is it took them this long.

KBR has blocked "Ms Sparky" from their servers May 1, 2009

As of yesterday (March 31, 2009)  MsSparky.com has been block from the vast majority of KBR's servers and for those complaining, there's not a damn thing I can do about it. Sorry!! KBR owns the servers and therefore can censor the info you receive....kinda like North Korea! So for those KBR employees in the US, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Dubai who still want to keep up with what's going on via MsSparky.com, here are a few suggestions.

1. For those KBR employees in the States, you will have to access MsSparky.com from home, Starbucks or any other system. For those in the Middle East, access MsSparky.com from the internet in your room if you have it. Be a good co-worker and copy and save it as a PDF so it can not be changed and then attach it to an email and send it to your friends via their non KBR email accounts, ie Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail etc. If KBR is even still allowing you access those. Sending a "link" for MsSparky.com won't work. You must copy the text of the post.

2. Try accessing MsSparky.com from a non KBR computer. Try a military MWR, military office or another contractors server or a friends internet access from their room.

3. Ask someone from the States to read MsSparky.com, copy it, save as a PDF and send it to you if possible.

4. I will be setting up an email list to send out "text only" copies of my posts. Unfortunately is won't include comments. If you would like to leave a comment on those posts, just email me your comment and I will add it myself.

5. If you would like to be on that email list, send me an email via the "Contact Us" page (tab at top on right) or mssparky@mssparky.com. I am the only one that can see your email address. Give me a couple of days to get this going. If you have a specific question ask it and I will try to answer it for you.

6. You can continue to send information to mssparky@mssparky.com or the "Contact Us" page if you have access. Or, print it and mail it to DJ Crawford, PO Box 1278, Battle Ground, WA 98604.

I am going to look into redirecting links and cross posting my posts at other sites. I'll let you know. I suspect that KBR will block those as well. All I can say is....we must be doing something right.

Keep those cards and letters coming!! LOL

Ms Sparky

Bruce Stanski Now Works For Fluor!!

It's was confirmed by a MsSparky.com reader!! Bruce Stanski former President of KBR Government & Infrastructure is to take over the Government section of Fluor. Hmmm Something just doesn't seem right about that! If I was the DoD and Dyncorp I would just be crying foul! Here's the comment they posted with the email trail.

Dwight said,

on April 24th, 2009 at 11:30 am edit

Ms Sparky-After I read your post I just shot out an email using the same email format as KBR. (same as My Two Cents posted) Damned if I didn't luck out. Here's how the email went:

me:

"Are you the same Bruce Stanski that was the President of KBR G&I"

Bruce Stanski:

"the one and only"

me:

"I guess that answers that rumor. Best of luck to you."

I don't think I will be hearing from him again.

I want to think he left because it was just not an ethical company to work for. But then, it all happened under his watch.

Having Stanski can only be good for Fluor.

Ms Sparky's Response:

What a super sleuth! Please forward me that email!

 

We are still looking for this information!!

This is your chance to make a difference!! You can email them to me at mssparky@mssparky.com If you do not want an email trail, save them or print them and mail them to:

DJ Crawford

PO Box 1278

Battle Ground, WA 98604

If you are not comfortable with either one of those methods let me know and I will try to work out something that is comfortable for you.

I am looking for emails, information, Corrective Action Requests (CAR's) and Corrective Action Plans (CAP's) from 2002 to Present regarding KBR in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Dubai etc.

Any emails from DoD about KBR or a KBR subcontractor

Any emails from KBR Management

Any emails from KBR Legal

Any emails from KBR consultants

Any emails or information regarding KBR Code of Business Conduct failures

Any incorrect or inappropriate email responses from KBR

Any emails regarding the Navigant Tiger Team

Any emails or information relating to any water treatment issues

Any emails or information relating to any electrical system failures. Especially anything relating to the death of SSG Ryan Maseth, SSG Christopher Everett or any other Soldier or Civilian that has died or may have died from electrocution.

Any emails or information relating to the death of Robert Jones at Camp Falcon

Any emails or information relating to the death of any KBR employee

Any emails or information relating to any Dining Facility (DFAC) issues

Any emails or information relating to living container (CHU's/Hooches/Trailers) issues

Any emails or information relating to Sub-Contract Workers (SCW/TCN/FN) and Human Trafficking

Any emails or information relating to "Task Force SAFE" in Iraq

Any emails or information relating to "Task Force Power" in Afghanistan

Any Emails from or pertaining to:

William Utt

William Jonas

Bill Walter

Tom Crum

Chris Heinrich

Jill Pettibone

Navigant Consulting

David Brenner

Bruce Stanski

Robert Peter Bennett

Thomas Tagle

Karen Chillcott

Kristine Burnell

Any Project Manager (PM) or Deputy Project Manager (DPM)

Any others that might admit to or document problems

Any info on the following subcontracts:

First Kuwaiti

La Nouvelle

Tamimi

ASCO

American General Trading

Eagle Global

Najlaa

Prime Projects International

Any Dining Facilities (DFAC)

Altanmia

Iraqi American Development Company (IADCO)

Iraqi American Telecom Company (IATEL)

Other issues:

Fly America Act Violation

Freight America Act Violations

Internal Audits

Board of Directors Minutes

If you have information that is not on this list that you know needs to be investigated or reported...send it and I will do the best I can to get it where it needs to go.

Ms Sparky

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Here are some recent links to KBR, AIG and Middle East news article that may be of interest to you. These links do not go to MsSparky.com and you should be able to access them.

DoD's New Generator Will Prevent Electric Shock

KBR to appeal Judge's Decision in Soldier Electrocution

KBR, Inc. Q1 2009 Earnings Call Transcript - This is interesting. And on Page 7 (short pages) Bill Utt says, with regard to the increase in KBR lawsuits "I will tell you there's a lot of stuff we see out there that appears to be opportunistic in terms of people more interested in civil suits than they are against alleged perpetrators." All I can really say to this is...I hope the Market Analyst are smarter than that!

A great local article about a Task Force SAFE inspector

Jamie Leigh Jones fights to make KBR's secret arbitration illegal

KBR face new wrongful death suits for burn it exposure

Third Country National Guards not protecting troops or civilians

KBR's Own Memos Undermine Defense For Good Friday Massacre

ABC's 20/20 Injured KBR employees on AIG's failure to pay claims

Those should get you caught up. I still don't have anything conclusive about KBR's LOGCAP IV contracts. As soon as I get something I will let you know. If you know something let me know.

Please forward to those who might be interested in this information. If you are in the States forward to those friends and family in the Middle East.

I know KBR is going to put on the pressure with threats and intimidation. That is their MO. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and your family. If you need to unsubscribe all together, I get it!

If you have questions you can email me by replying to this Update.

Be safe!!

Ms Sparky

(aka Debbie Crawford)

Congresswoman Questions KBR

Congresswoman Wants Answers On KBR $35 Million Contract

 Link to Truthout.org:  http://www.truthout.org/041109D

 

 

Friday 10 April 2009

by: Kimberly Hefling  |  The Associated Press

 

 

The son of Larrain McGee, Staff Sgt. Christopher Everett, was electrocuted and killed in Iraq in September 2005. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-New Hampshire), believes that KBR, a government contractor, should be held responsible for his death and other injuries and deaths as the result of shoddy electrical work. (Photo: AP)

   

Washington - A New Hampshire congresswoman said the Pentagon has failed to justify giving a new, $35 million contract to a company whose electrical work on U.S. facilities in Iraq has been criticized as shoddy and unsafe.

 At least three service members were electrocuted while showering at U.S. facilities in Iraq. Others have been injured or killed in electrical incidents.

 Houston-based contractor KBR Inc., which maintains nearly all U.S. facilities in Iraq, has said it was not responsible for any of the deaths, and that safety is its top priority.

 In a letter sent last month, Army Secretary Pete Geren told Rep. Carol Shea-Porter that KBR got the new contract because the Army Corps of Engineers felt KBR had performed well on other jobs. Geren also said KBR was the only contractor to submit a proposal, and was not on a government list of debarred companies.

 "The office that is overseeing this work has the expertise required to monitor both the design and construction aspects of the project," Geren said in the letter, a copy of which was shared with The Associated Press.

 "What do you have to do to get on that list? Why weren't they suspended?" Shea-Porter, a Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said in an interview this week. She is seeking more information on the contract decision.

 "The issue here is we can't change what's happened," she said, "but we certainly have an obligation to these men and women who have suffered and their families to fix them and to make sure we don't hand another contract out to anyone or any company who had a hand in this."

 Inspections of some of the thousands of Iraq facilities that KBR maintains have turned up major electrical problems at more than a third of the sites.

 The AP reported Feb. 6 that KBR was given an Army Corps of Engineers contract to build a convoy support center in southern Iraq that includes a power plant and electrical distribution center. Shortly before the contract was awarded, a senior Pentagon official had rejected the company's explanation of electrical mistakes in Iraq and said some defense officials had lost confidence in KBR's ability to do electrical work.

 On Feb. 13, KBR was notified by the military that it had accepted KBR's plan to fix the electrical problems, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the AP using a Freedom of Information Act request.

 The military is in the process of inspecting every facility in Iraq and making repairs to electrical problems.

 

 

Stopping Fed. Contract Abuse Requires Whistleblower Protection

  National Whistleblowers Center
3238 P Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
http://www.whistleblowers.org  

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael D. Kohn (202) 230-3806 (Cell)
Lindsey M. Williams (570) 362-3179 (Cell)
lmw@whistleblowers.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Full Implementation of President Obama's Commitment to Crack Down on Federal Contract Abuse Cannot Happen Without Federal Whistleblower Protection

 

 

Washington, D.C. March 5, 2009. The National Whistleblowers Center (NWC) applauds President Barack Obama's commitment to crack down on federal contract abuse, especially in the defense industry.  As President Obama observed, the contracting process is "plagued by massive cost overruns and outright fraud."

According to Michael D. Kohn, General Counsel of the NWC, "Federal employees are all too well aware of the 'crack down' they face when they have tried to confront the cozy relationship between contractors and agency officials."

Bunnatine ("Bunny") Greenhouse is a prime example of what happens to federal employees who try to protect the public.  When she objected to the cozy relationship between Halliburton and government contracting officials during the ramp-up to the Iraq war, the excessive duration of the contract, and the failure to seek competitive bids she was removed as the Army Corp's chief of contracting.  "Without meaningful whistleblower protections, federal employees will remember what happened to Bunny Greenhouse and remain silent instead of exposing waste, fraud, and abuse," Kohn said.

Congress has taken the first step in ensuring oversight and accountability by including whistleblower protections for employees of private contractors and state and local governments who receive stimulus money in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The stimulus whistleblower protections are already having an effect on corporate culture

The law firm EpsteinBeckerGreen recently issued a client alert on the whistleblower provisions contained in the stimulus legislation.  EpsteinBeckerGreen is a respected employer-side law firm of over 350 attorneys. The firm's statement provided an extensive briefing on the whistleblower protection provisions and urges every company to undertake extensive voluntary compliance actions in order to avoid becoming entangled in a high-profile whistleblower case:

 

"Employers receiving covered funds should take proactive steps now to prevent whistleblower claims under ARRA [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act]. As part of a comprehensive compliance program, it may be worthwhile to assure appropriate procedures are in place to prevent and detect mismanagement, fraud, waste, situations creating public danger, abuse or unlawful activity concerning covered funds. Broadening existing hotline or other reporting channels and complaint procedures to cover matters under ARRA may be in order. ARRA also may occasion review and updating of policies and related orientation, training and monitoring programs, with specific regard to employee whistleblower issues that accompany the receipt of covered funds."

EpsteinBeckerGreen "Client Alert," dated Feb. 27, 2009.

 

This is precisely the impact that the NWC and other whistleblower rights groups hoped would be triggered by including strong whistleblower provisions in the stimulus-spending package.  Only when employers know that their employees are being encouraged to detect and report fraud - and when those employees have effective legal protections and rewards - will employers undertake the kinds of voluntary reforms necessary to create a change in culture that will save the taxpayers billions of dollars.  

Congress now must act swiftly to ensure current ARRA protections are made permanent and are extended to cover all employees (including federal employees) and all taxpayer spending.

"The stimulus whistleblower provision is already impacting internal corporate culture and will undoubtedly reduced fraud and create an environment where private sector employees are encouraged to tell the truth" and "it's about time federal employees had the same protections as the private sector when it comes to saving taxpayer dollars" Kohn said.