Blackwater executive blames feds

Source: News & Observer

RALEIGH -- The U.S. government approved both the storage of automatic weapons at Blackwater's North Carolina compound and a gift of firearms to the king of Jordan, a lawyer for the former head of the security firm said in federal court Wednesday.

"All of this was with the knowledge of, the request of, for the convenience of, an agency of the U.S. government," said Ken Bell, a Charlotte attorney representing Gary Jackson, the former president of Blackwater, who faces charges of breaking firearms laws.

Bell's comments came during a bond hearing Wednesday; a Raleigh-based grand jury indicted Jackson and four other former Blackwater employees last week. Bell said the accusations amount to mishandled paperwork, at most.

...

The company, founded by former Navy Seal Erik Prince, is also accused of illegally possessing short-barreled rifles, which are restricted for civilian use. Bell said in court that Blackwater would send the disassembled weapons overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan for use in urban war zones where Blackwater contractors were working with the blessing of U.S. officials.



Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/04/22/448778/blackwater-exec-blames-feds.html

Bush administration officials told them to go ahead and break the law.

If it was approved by "an agency of the U.S. government", then they can get this over with quickly by providing proof!

I'm sure the Feds will be showing up to admit their approval by the time I get back.
Hold this spot for me.

Source: News Observer

Blackwater executive blames feds



RALEIGH -- The U.S. government approved both the storage of automatic weapons at Blackwater's North Carolina compound and a gift of firearms to the king of Jordan, a lawyer for the former head of the security firm said in federal court Wednesday.

"All of this was with the knowledge of, the request of, for the convenience of, an agency of the U.S. government," said Ken Bell, a Charlotte attorney representing Gary Jackson, the former president of Blackwater, who faces charges of breaking firearms laws.

Bell's comments came during a bond hearing Wednesday; a Raleigh-based grand jury indicted Jackson and four other former Blackwater employees last week. Bell said the accusations amount to mishandled paperwork, at most.

"These are not serious offenses," he said. "I don't think they're offenses at all."



Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/04/22/448778/blackwater-exec-blames-feds.html

Up next, my dog ate it.

believing them. That sounds exactly what old chaney & georgie would have done.

over some serious jail time. Using the gummit as your excuse? Not this time.

that doesn't make Blackwater/Xe any less guilty though.

Just means that "good faith" government agency is as well.

the office of the Vice President... Can we find out?

Which does not preclude WH (Bush/Cheney) involvement.

all govt contractors know that. It might be nice if Blackwater betrays some of its buddies in the Bush administration. One can only hope.

I suppose these guys might get dispondent and fall off a building or accidently back into a knife 32 times.

Let the finger-pointing and accusations fly!