What Cost Corruption?

[SASless]

The Fat Leonard Investigation into corruption within Pacific based US Navy Operations continues to create havoc within the Officer Ranks.

This is what happens when Command authorities engage in or ignore un-ethical conduct over long periods of time.

Sad as the situation is for the innocent.....the wrong doers must be brought to justice as much as sending a message to the younger generation that such behavior cannot be condoned.

Typical Military process it seems.....innocent, honorable, good serving Officers and Senior Enlisted get "punished" although having done nothing wrong at all.


https://news.usni.org/2019/01/24/paying-price-hidden-cost-fat-leonard-investigation

[Whenurhappy]

The Fat Leonard Investigation into corruption within Pacific based US Navy Operations continues to create havoc within the Officer Ranks.

This is what happens when Command authorities engage in or ignore un-ethical conduct over long periods of time.

Sad as the situation is for the innocent.....the wrong doers must be brought to justice as much as sending a message to the younger generation that such behavior cannot be condoned.

Typical Military process it seems.....innocent, honorable, good serving Officers and Senior Enlisted get "punished" although having done nothing wrong at all.


https://news.usni.org/2019/01/24/paying-price-hidden-cost-fat-leonard-investigation
A very interesting report and sad consequences for a lot of personnel who had done no wrong.

I've dealt with Port Agents in recent years and their bills can be eye-watering, but without them getting a ship bertherd, fuelled, victualled and waterered can be rather difficult, if not impossible.

[Pontius Navigator]

This will always be a risk where Government and Contractor have dealings. Often the cost of anti-corruption measures exceeds the cost of acceptance.

My old man in the Merchant Navy used to benefit from a port scam. His ship would be scheduled for a maintenance period in dry dock in India, say 2 weeks. On passage he had the deck crew undertake hull painting often down to the waterline. The ship would then be dry docked for half the contracted time. The savings were split 50-50 ship and dry dock. The ship kick back was divided up pro rata. Everyone happy. Company got ship back in service a week early. Dry dock happy with dock available a week early. Crew happy extra overtime.

If it had been stopped it would probably have taken 3 weeks and no one happy.

Same thing happened in the RAF when the system went from fixed subsistence rates, which were never really adequate, to actuals. Troops could no longer starve to save but the Service had to pay much more.

[SASless]

Quite a different scheme....this was bribery and payment for no services rendered or allowing overcharging by the contractor and sharing in the proceeds.

There was also that small thing about Fat Boy being told well in advance of Ship Operations which facilitated his setting up shop somewhere, then being picked to provide services, and just the corrupt folks benefiting....and the Tax Payer losing.

That also meant ships schedules were being compromised by those not entitled to that information.

There is no excuse possible for accepting a Bribe and selling one's Integrity and Honor by a Naval Officer.

[Just This Once...]

It is still remarkable to see such senior officers being convicted of these offences. Corruption is not unique to the US and many of us have observed or even reported UK star-ranking officers in similar circumstances. Precisely zero have ever been charged making the UK Armed Forces star-chamber somewhat unique. Over the years the UK has found corrupt judges, senior police officers, barristers, politicians, bishops, doctors, captains of industry etc, but somehow all 2-star and above have been saints...

[rolling20]

Having worked for decades in Investment Banking, after her majesty decided I wouldn't be one of her pilots, I have never been amazed at educated, intelligent people who were earning money beyond peoples wildest dreams, who decided to act on information that allowed them to make a small financial gain. The authorities eventually catching up with them and thus losing lucrative careers and serving prison sentences, because they thought they were cleverer than the system.

[charliegolf]

This will always be a risk where Government and Contractor have dealings. Often the cost of anti-corruption measures exceeds the cost of acceptance.

Same thing happened in the RAF when the system went from fixed subsistence rates, which were never really adequate, to actuals. Troops could no longer starve to save but the Service had to pay much more.

Is that like the 'Elephantine Platter' for 2 for 1 scam!

CG