The Huffington Post March 16, 2010
Lloyd Chapman
Small business advocate
Posted: March 15, 2010 11:19 AM
Obama Administration Destroys Incriminating Contracting Data
In March of 2005, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of the Inspector General found large businesses had fraudulently represented themselves as small businesses to illegally receive federal small business contracts. Report 5-16 stated large businesses had committed fraud by making "false certifications," and "improper certifications." (PDF)
On Friday, March 12, the General Services Administration (GSA) destroyed all of the information that had been used in that investigation.
Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations have found that Fortune 500 firms have received federal small business contracts. In 2004, the SBA Office of Advocacy found large businesses had received federal small business contracts fraudulently through what they referred to as "vendor deception."
As a result of the deletion of the data it will be significantly more difficult, if not impossible, for federal investigators to conduct investigations into fraud and abuse in federal small business contracting programs. Despite public outcry over the proposed changes, the GSA has eliminated the data under the guise of upgrading the system and making it easier to search.
The American Small Business League (ASBL) maintains that the GSA eliminated the data to destroy evidence, which clearly shows that some of the nation's largest contractors, primarily in the defense and aerospace industry, have committed felony federal contracting fraud. Section 16(d) of the Small Business Act prescribes a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine per occurrence and debarment from federal contracting programs for such abuses.
In February of 2008, the ASBL sued the SBA for the release of the names of Fortune 500 firms and other large businesses that had received billions of dollars in federal small business contracts. The SBA withheld the information until directed to release it by United States District Judge Marilyn H. Patel. In the court's ruling Patel stated, "The court finds it curious the SBA's argument that it does not 'control' the very information it needs to carry out its duties and functions." (PDF)
At some point in the near future it is going to be clear that the GSA destroyed evidence of hundreds of billions of dollars in fraud. I think Congress and the FBI need to investigate the GSA's role in this matter. When it does come out that evidence of fraud was destroyed, the GSA officials responsible need to be prosecuted.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lloyd-...tml?view=print
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It's small businesses that drive new employment and could use the govt contracts intended for small businesses but instead go to unqualifed large corps and their fake "small" subsidiaries.
The More Things "CHANGE", The More They Stay The Same.
Govt regulatory agencies are captured and corrupted by the corps they are supposed to regulate.
But Repugs and wrongies here say "evil" corporations don't exist.
SBA was ordered to release the information in Feb 2008, and last week the GSA apparently deleted it.
One hand washes the other.
The Bushian theme of contumacy to court orders (viz., the destroyed CIA interrogation tapes, similarly destroyed while under a court order to preserve and produce) -- apparently continues with brio under Obama.
Continuity, etc....
The Huffington Post March 16, 2010
Lloyd Chapman
Small business advocate
Posted: March 15, 2010 11:19 AM
Obama Administration Destroys Incriminating Contracting Data
In March of 2005, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of the Inspector General found large businesses had fraudulently represented themselves as small businesses to illegally receive federal small business contracts. Report 5-16 stated large businesses had committed fraud by making "false certifications," and "improper certifications." (PDF)
On Friday, March 12, the General Services Administration (GSA) destroyed all of the information that had been used in that investigation.
Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations have found that Fortune 500 firms have received federal small business contracts. In 2004, the SBA Office of Advocacy found large businesses had received federal small business contracts fraudulently through what they referred to as "vendor deception."
As a result of the deletion of the data it will be significantly more difficult, if not impossible, for federal investigators to conduct investigations into fraud and abuse in federal small business contracting programs. Despite public outcry over the proposed changes, the GSA has eliminated the data under the guise of upgrading the system and making it easier to search.
The American Small Business League (ASBL) maintains that the GSA eliminated the data to destroy evidence, which clearly shows that some of the nation's largest contractors, primarily in the defense and aerospace industry, have committed felony federal contracting fraud. Section 16(d) of the Small Business Act prescribes a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine per occurrence and debarment from federal contracting programs for such abuses.
In February of 2008, the ASBL sued the SBA for the release of the names of Fortune 500 firms and other large businesses that had received billions of dollars in federal small business contracts. The SBA withheld the information until directed to release it by United States District Judge Marilyn H. Patel. In the court's ruling Patel stated, "The court finds it curious the SBA's argument that it does not 'control' the very information it needs to carry out its duties and functions." (PDF)
At some point in the near future it is going to be clear that the GSA destroyed evidence of hundreds of billions of dollars in fraud. I think Congress and the FBI need to investigate the GSA's role in this matter. When it does come out that evidence of fraud was destroyed, the GSA officials responsible need to be prosecuted.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lloyd-...tml?view=print
============
It's small businesses that drive new employment and could use the govt contracts intended for small businesses but instead go to unqualifed large corps and their fake "small" subsidiaries.
The More Things "CHANGE", The More They Stay The Same.
Govt regulatory agencies are captured and corrupted by the corps they are supposed to regulate.
But Repugs and wrongies here say "evil" corporations don't exist.
Maybe if guys like you weren't convinced that there's a party/person/political movement that can fix this problem - the capture of political bodies by interest groups, be it large corporations, unions or whatever - by seizing power this problem didn't exist any more.
A government without favours to sell it's a government nobody will be willing to spend money to capture.
The deleted do ents must be implicating democrats in congress or something, otherwise why would this administration care?
Still...
Since it's a HuffPo story, I will take it with a grain of salt.
I wonder... What is business never got the money, and it was given to elitist friends all over the world? That would be cause to destroy evidence now, wouldn't it? Somewhere though, there should be hard copies.
Last edited by Wild Cobra; 03-16-2010 at 10:22 PM.
One would think so.
To big too fail - do you really want to put the CEOs of the nation's largest defense contractors in prison during 2 wars...that's insane...why that'd be like putting the CEO and all the cronies of the nation's largest private 'security firm on trial for death and rape...
implicating? indicting?
And it wouldn't surprise me if that's the case. After all, Obama himself voted for things like telecom immunity when he was still a senator.
I find it interesting, though, that you don't need 'more information' in this case
If this would be the GOP you would be tossing the 'defamation' and 'slander' cards...
LOL.... Oooops....
implicating
I just haven't bothered really caring. The Huffington Post is good at twisting the facts. I rather doubt what they say is true. Have some reliable links? I haven't bothered looking, have you?And it wouldn't surprise me if that's the case. After all, Obama himself voted for things like telecom immunity when he was still a senator.
I find it interesting, though, that you don't need 'more information' in this case
Like I said, its the HuffPoo. I simply do not believe what they say, unless verified by reputable places. Slander is expected against republicans by them. It does surprise me though they would have a story that implicates their soul mates.If this would be the GOP you would be tossing the 'defamation' and 'slander' cards...
not even the POTUS is irreplacable
who the says some dip overwight balding white guy is not replaceable?
many people could take over the job. company survives, fat cats get charged and go to prison and replaced. them.
Hope. Change. Yes we can.............
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