The US gov baffles me.

sean1 · Mar 27, 2007

How does a defense contractor sell classified military items to enemy nations for 25 years and receive a $100mm fine while running neteller or BOS gets you the possibility of 20 years in jail? Wouldnt the CEOs of a company that engaged in a "regular pattern of export violations and misrepresentation" to the U.S. government from 1980 to 2005, warrant jail time?

ITT "went to significant lengths to set up an end run" around State Department licensing systems, prosecutors said, including enlisting a front company to export the systems.

The company also fought the government's investigation, Brownlee said, and attempted "to essentially run out the clock on the statute of limitations." He said the company's posture changed in 2005 with the hiring of a new CEO, Steven Loranger, who hired new outside corporate attorneys and instructed the company to cooperate with the investigation.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/27/news/international/itt_export/index.htm?postversion=2007032713

Journeyman · Mar 27, 2007

You and a couple hundred million Americans.

maxdemo · Mar 27, 2007

Gambling is the flavor of the month right now...just like phony profits were the flavor a few years ago (Enron, world com,,,,ect...) and other crimes before that.

sean1 · Mar 27, 2007

I always thought selling weapons to enemies was an ongoing flavor...

maxdemo · Mar 27, 2007

"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The leading manufacturer of night vision gear for the Defense Department has admitted sending classified materials overseas and will pay a $100 million penalty, according to federal prosecutors, who say the actions of ITT Corp. have jeopardized the security of U.S. soldiers. "

its only night vision goggles...its not like they sold them nukes

Saying that American soldiers are "the principal victims of ITT's crimes," U.S. Attorney John Brownlee said he has structured the $100 million penalty so that half of the money is spent by ITT to develop a next-generation night vision system and "ensure that our soldiers have the best night vision equipment in the world."

ITT must invest the $50 million over five years to accelerate development of night vision technology, and the government will maintain rights to all technology that is developed under the agreement.

go2guy · Mar 27, 2007

While I stand in line at the store and watch people play $100 worth of scratch off tickets only to win $25 which they'll take to buy more scratch off tickets. How in the hell could the government condone this but think there's something wrong with internet gambling. Unbelievable!

:monsters-

PokerKingJim · Mar 27, 2007

go2guy said:
While I stand in line at the store and watch people play $100 worth of scratch off tickets only to win $25 which they'll take to buy more scratch off tickets. How in the hell could the government condone this but think there's something wrong with internet gambling. Unbelievable!

:monsters-

You already know the answer to that question

US Govt doesn't baffle me, it sickens me

Journeyman · Mar 27, 2007

Just go into any govt run facilty and watch how ass backwards it's run...the MVA for example.....the US Govt only cares about itself....they can't even organize a healthcare program for their own citizens.