$500 Million to Keep Cheney Out of Jail?
Apparently, Halliburton is in negotiations with the Nigerian government to craft a plea deal that would keep Dick Cheney out of jail. (h/t scribe)
Halliburton is planning to make a plea bargain in former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney’s corruption case, Nigerian officials told GlobalPost.
[snip]
Halliburton is in talks with Nigerian officials to make a plea bargain in the case, said Femi Babafemi, spokesman for Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the agency which has pressed the charges against Cheney.
“The companies are asking for a plea bargain, we are reviewing their request, we are talking with them, but we have not gone far with the talks yet,” Babafemi told GlobalPost.
Although Babafemi did not give further details, other sources within the agency said the plea bargain might involve a $500 million settlement.
[snip]
Cheney and three other top executives could face sentences of three years in a Nigerian prison if convicted of the charges in the 16-count indictment, said Babafemi.
$500 million or three years in Nigerian prison. I wonder how much he or his former employers woul’d pay to avoid imprisonment on torture charges?
I wonder how much the Internet could raise to PUT Cheney in Jail.
I wonder how much has already been spent, by ObamaLLP or BushCo, to keep him out of jail up to this point. At least they aren’t asking the taxpayers to put up this $500M. Currently.
Boxturtle (I wonder why Halliburton is worried, Obama would never honor a Nigerian warrant)
No, but Shell Oil might <ba-dum-ching>
(Hint: Hit the red button.)
Remember Iraq how many no bid contracts paid for by the USA goverment.Halliburton stole a lot more than $500million from you.
I’ll contribute, that’s for damn sure.
So,
CheneyHalliburton is bribing Nigeria to drop bribery charges?“Bribe” is such an ugly term. We prefer to call it “a corporate donation that expresses our appreciation for the fine work of the government of Nigeria.”
Sincerely,
Halliburton
It’ll be funny when Halliburton realizes they’ve been fleeced by a Nigerian email scammer.
Is Haliburton a publicly traded company? If so, how is this a good use of stockholder money?
They’ll probably draw down on an E&O insurance policy (Executives and Officers). Most large corporations take out policies to protect themselves against acts by their leadership. What I can’t recall (having read these kinds of policies more than a decade ago) is whether they can provide coverage against acts which are illegal.
They CAN. But most insurers don’t. However, if you agree to a large enough permium, it’s not illegal.
Dunno if Halliburton’s policy covers this. But if I had Dick Cheney on staff, you can be sure I’d pay the extra.
Boxturtle (You never know who’s emails wikileaks has)
or “whose emails” either.
;-)
*mutter* grammer police *mutter*
Boxturtle (*mutter* possible subject for a crainorectalostomy)
E & O coverage probably with USG owned AIG so us tax payers probably will foot the bill.
Publicly traded doesn’t mean publicly accountable.
Paying $500M to excuse the illegal actions of an employee makes as much sense as paying executive employees dozens of millions in salary and bonus and perks – as if you couldn’t find a collection of competent managers to do the work for *lots* less. But they all do that, and we have an executive class in this country of tens of thousands.
Still can’t escape the Pythonesque irony of bribing a country to excuse a bribery charge.
I think Halliburton is publicly traded, but I’m too lazy to go look it up. On the other hand the idea that the shareholders have any right to any of the company’s money is ludicrous. Haven’t you been paying attention over the last eighty years? The corporation exists for the benefit of the management team, not the shareholders. The shareholders are sufficiently rewarded by basking in the glory of their magnificent management team, who must be protected at all costs. Besides, the U.S. Government will reimburse them.
I am sure a $500 million payment to keep someone from facing charges would never be construed as a “bribe”. Wouldn’t a disgorgement of profits be a more appropriate “fine”?
Wouldn’t this expose Halliburton to US federal charges for violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?
So Halliburton is putting together a bribe as a plea bargain for Dick Cheney in a bribery case. And then they are going to take it off on their taxes.
So Dick Cheney is too corrupt for Nigeria, but perhaps Nigeria is still just corrupt enough for Dick Cheney!
Maybe, but if they don’t have a world class cardiac doc, they won’t make the cut.
(OT: the Escondido house filled with explosives is about to get set on fire in a controlled burn. CNN and others have live feeds if interested)
Time to declare Nigeria a state sponsor of terrorism for attacking the freedoms of an American corporate citizen?
Oh my – I’m so shocked. You think this might all come down to money??
Surely not. ;)
The Nigerians need a good tough negotiator on this one. There’s not one frickin reason they should walk away with less than the US. After all, the DOJ has been taking payoffs to keep people out of Nigerian jails for a deal that involved … Nigeria … to the tune of:
Chodan forfeiture $ 726,885
KBR criminal fine $402 million
KBR Parent Halliburton disgorgement $177 million
OK – so at a minimu, they should get a direct match for the guy the US snatched during their pending request for him and the KBR & Halliburton “keep me out of Nigerian jails and keep Stanley out free while he’s *cooperating* payments” So at 500 mill, they’re in the neighborhood of 80 short. Then there’s the other payoffs that the DOJ collected to keep people out of jail – I’m thinking they should probably be looking at matching funding if nothing else there –
Snamprogetti/ENI paid $ 365 mill and Technip paid $240 million in crim fines and $98 million in disgorgement.
So the Dutch, Italian and French may be looking at some matching funding for their execs that have been rounded up too, but nothing is going to get attention like the Cheney charges.
Poor Tesler – if Halliburton crams throught their deal fast and dirty, his holdout isn’t going to get him much – the DOJ is going to be happy to put him into jail – after all, he doesn’t own them like the US criminals from the Exec branch do.
Anyone interested should be going and following some of the articles at the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) blog. It’s had some really interesting pieces on the Senate hearings that were going on the end of Nov . I found this one interesting – esp as it slices an dices through Lanny Breuer’s “stats”
http://www.fcpablog.com/blog/2010/12/3/a-missing-cornerstone-of-enforcement.html
Worth a read.
Side not – the brave Senate is set to take up impeachment. Of a US Judge charged with taking bribes.
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2010/12/07/us-senate-to-take-up-impeachment-articles-of-federal-judge/
Nothing like a US DOJ keeping High Dollar criminals out of jail by making shareholders pay for the
bribefine.YEAH – the House rejection of Obama’s plan to give out tax cuts to the most wealthy (alhtough I’m sure it will be shortlived, mishandled, and end up a mess and morass) has given us all the opportunity to once again be enlightened by Larry Summers.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_tax_cuts
Good job Bama! Obviously it’s not like there’ve been any “calamtous consequences” of following your boy Larry.
Yeah, well, Larry neglects to point out that the same thing will happen if we PASS that bill.
Boxturtle (Minor oversight, I’m sure)
I guess when it suits his political and cya interests, Summers can read Roubini and Krugman and Stiglitz after all. ;)
“…Summers can read Roubini and Krugman and Stiglitz after all.”
Too bad he forgot to read Adam Smith who so long ago tossed out these remarkably apt chestnuts:
“No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.”
“It is not by augmenting the capital of the country, but by rendering a greater part of that capital active and productive than would otherwise be so, that the most judicious operations of banking can increase the industry of the country.”
“With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches.”
I guess capitalism is now like the Geneva Conventions and the US Constitution; quaint old stuff.
Thank you. So few people realize what all Adam Smith actually said. Your reminders are spot on.
OT – The DOJ released AG Holder’s letter about the legislation to block transfer of Guantanamo Detainees:
While I agree that the Attorney General should object to this legislation and I appreciate his courage in saying so, I must fault him for not doing so more potently.
While IANAL, it seems to me that this legislation is even more egregious than AG Holder seems to understand.
In my understanding, this legislation is an explicit attempt to obstruct justice! That is, a criminal offense!
First, as a legal statement, I would strongly urge the AG to send a wee followup note to Congress stating that any and all who vote for this legislation will be swiftly arrested by the FBI and charged in Federal court with obstruction of justice.
And I’m willing to bet that the encroached-upon Federal judiciary would call “Bullshit” on any defense of “Congressional Immunity” and back the Executive Branch to the hilt.
Second, as a political statement of “Fuck me? No, fuck you!” to those who would obstruct justice, I would strongly urge both Obama and Holder to immediately transfer Guantanamo detainees whose prosecution cases are ready for Federal trial into the custody of US Marshals for the appropriate detention in US federal facilities to await their trials.
And lastly, Obama himself should come out publicly and strongly reiterate that any, fookin’ any attempt by any fookin’ one to interfere with the administration of justice will be arrested, charged and quite likely convicted and imprisoned for attempting to obstruct the justice of the United States!
Grow a pair Obama and Holder! You hold the highest positions of power in the strongest branch of government in the entire world. Start using it the way it was designed to be used!
Whew! Quite forcefully said, Maddog.
In other news from Nigeria and Big Pharma,
WikiLeaks cables: Pfizer used dirty tricks to avoid clinical trial payout
Cables say drug giant hired investigators to find evidence of corruption on Nigerian attorney general to persuade him to drop legal action
LINK.
Been a long day! *g*
I don’t mind if folks disagree with my position on this (and I’m not suggesting you do or don’t), but I’m awfully tired of the Obama Administration’s and the Democratic Party’s “We surrender! Can we negotiate now?” mindset and overall cowardice when bullied by the increasingly batshit crazy Repugs.
The only way to stop bullies is to stand up to them.
It’s been a long day–shoot! It’s been a long ten years, and we’re further than ever from where we were in 2000 in terms of the safety and security of our Constitution and Bill of Rights, government institutions (I won’t even bother further escalating blood pressure by mentioning our politicians), the economy, systemic corruption, unprecedented consolidation of wealth, etc.
As you said, “The only way to stop bullies is to stand up to them.” If only that concept would take hold and grow among “our” politicians.
Fatster, the January issue of Vanity Fair has an investigative report that may be of interest to you. Deadly Medicine:
Ooooh, thank you!
Remember, the disbursement by Halliburton can be taken as a tax deduction as a business expense; likely by an American subsidiary so that they can get a refund while the main corp in Dubai still makes a profit.
They would never be able to arrest Cheney unless he went bird hunting in Nigeria. Right?
$500 million is chump change for Halliburton. Hell, his ‘retirement package’ when he ran for veep was $36 million alone.
I don’t care anymore. I just want to get out of this country.
Hey Nigeria! Make him pay for USA Unemployed and add the 99ers and make it permanent! UK unemployment does not expire to play political hostage games. Cheney is a criminal and make his daughther get off the talking head shows. That’s a start.
If the GOP/McConnell tax cut plan wins and it hurts American’s, You can be sure all working American’s will be telling all Republican’s to go **ck themselves for good.
Never fear! Obama will compromise a deal for you! He’s protected you so far, why would he stop now?
It’s a matter of state secrets I bet.
Great post, makes me wonder if the Hague is taking nites on all the international law and treaty violations by Cheney/Bush. Can the Hague, Permanent Court of International justice,be bought through their arbitration section?
At some point don’t we as a civilization hae to look bakward and address these crimes against humanity?
For Halliburton to already be in negotiations and floating around numbers of that magnitude, one might conclude that the stakes are much higher than we know. Some very ugly stuff buried out there, I’m guessing. Can a US citizen be legally extradited to Nigeria? I know it won’t happen in this case, but I have to admit that it would make for some PPV-level entertainment. Definitely must-see TV.
Could this have something to do with the information held by Wikileaks?
Interesting idea. Never thought of it.
Hmmm … Isn’t former Ambassador Joseph Wilson considered an expert on Nigeria? Now recall the public statements about “Nigerian yellow cake” as a run up to war in Iraq followed by Plame’s outing.
Amb. Wilson has experience in Niger, the landlocked country to the north of Nigeria. (They share the basin of the Niger River.)
Nice clickable map here.
Yes.
What I’m trying to say is that the Ambassador would also be well served by having an excellent command of regional issues relative to the focus of his assignment. It seems it would be tough to do his job otherwise as no single political entity is an island until itself (unless it really, really is an island nation state). :P
It is kind of nice for Shell that Cheney’s indictment is diverting a bit from the info that Shell pretty much had infiltrated and owned all the ministries in Nigeria.
– Max Keiser (link: http://www.maxkeiser.com )
Halliburton is a publically traded company. I doubt the shareholders would approve this kind of expenditure. What is Halliburton trying hide that they would even entertain such a scheme. Cheney’s health is so bad it is unlikely that he will be here much longer. As for the other three, what did they do that would warrant this. All they have to do is stay out of the country.
you make a nice point, but I wonder how much Halliburton income the shareholders figure they got via Cheney. I bet it’s more than 500 mill.
EDIT: I bet it’s more than 500 mill to them.
Stock holders should be less than pleased:) But thats what you get investing in a GOP company.
Could Nigeria actually be too big to bribe?
If Dick Cheney were to die in a Nigerian prison, I might start believing there is a God.
Very good!! I don’t believe in God, but it might make me change my mind!
I apologize for doing a drive-by with a question, a burning in my brain question.
If there’s an Interpol warrant on Richard Cheney; his security guard is lawfully required to present him to the authorities. Right? So failure to do that would be in violation of our U.S. law. Right?
Doesn’t that mean they’re aiding and abetting? Or whatever the term is. Criminal behavior.
Unless his security detail is Blackwater, CACI, Triple Canopy, or any one of the other mercenary outfits openly operating under USG contracts.
As far as Cheney is concerned Halliburton would feed him to the wolves if it would increase their profit share. Just a quick search of Nigeria came up with this: http://www.winne.com/dncompany.php?id=464
“Halliburton in Nigeria – History
Halliburton established its presence in Nigeria in 1959 with the original Halliburton objective to help service Nigeria’s promising new oil and gas industry. Since then, Halliburton’s service offerings have grown from primarily cementing to a full array of other oil field products and services.
Today in Nigeria, Halliburton comprises four major business groups — Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Ltd., Halliburton Operations Nigeria Ltd., Baroid of Nigeria Ltd., and Landmark Graphics Nigeria, Ltd. Together, these groups have a work force of over seven hundred employees”
They might just be trying to sooth feelings so they don’t get kicked out of the country, it appears they have been there for quite awhile and maybe they know Nigeria will be the next “war on terror” stop with all those no bid contracts.
The Nigerian govt. must be leaning on Haliburton to even get $500 mil. They must be telling Haliburton that if they’re gonna do business here you had better hand him over. Otherwise Haliburton and Cheney would just tell them to f**k off.
Just extradite the POS.
If I was a major stockholder in Haliburton, I’d be mighty pissed. Money doesn’t come from nowhere.
Dear Halliburton,
For a mere $50 million I can tell you how to save 10 times that amount.
Golly !
This would be . . . a bribery deal to deal with a charge involving . . . A BRIBERY DEAL.
… thankfully, I’m not cynical.
— Bruno Diderot
And sticking with the Nigerian theme – apparently Pfizer appears in the wikileaks docs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11971805
Good thing having Pfizer experiment on African children, kill and disable them, then try to blackmail the Nigerian prosecutor to drop the case – with US embassy knowledge – isn’t anything Scherer or “real journalists” would find exceeds any ethical bounds.
BTW – Aondoakaa has been removed from office.
Meanwhile, Khalid el-Masri just lost his appeal in Germany seeking to have the German prosecutors file charges against his kidnappers and torturers.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jws6ka3QxAhyKwCs6vGduLasAOPg?docId=d36a0526f5ff41a18929d13059961df5
He had to use transparent filings in the court to ask for the prosecutions – it’s only Obamaco and Buscho that journalists feel are entitled to use covert means to corruptly influence prosecution decisions.
Somali pirates meet illegal arms traffickers meet – – – USG!
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,733775,00.html
I guess I missed this part – that the leaks are expected to include the files for 800 GITMO detainees
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/us/politics/10gitmo.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
I sincerely hope that the Nigerian Government doesn’t cave in when they see the $$$ thrown their way. Personally, I hope the Nigerian’s ask for 20 Billion!