Milan Kostic’s Post

We talk about the MoD and its inability to recruit or even retain military personnel, along with the treatment of military families and more recently Interpreters left behind in Afghanistan... Then this story arises ? Of all the people to spend Millions of taxpayers money on, injured Veterans...? I realise due to 'No win, no fee' legal companies, that there will be spurious claims from time to time, but of ALL people to invest the taxpayer's money into investigating ? Veterans that have been discharged with medical injuries ??? The amount of fraudulent individuals in the UK scamming local authorities for housing and benefits, the MoD authorises covert surveillance of Veterans... (((SHOCKING)))

Contractors must turn square corners when working with the government and, unsurprisingly, that obligation extends to actions that took place in an acquired entity prior to the acquisition. Here, in 2018, the contractor acquired an entity. In 2021, the contractor became aware of an issue regarding the testing of military cables at the facility of the acquired entity (going back to 2005). Soon thereafter, it initiated an internal investigation, complied with the mandatory disclosure rule and notified the government, and ultimately cooperated with the government's investigation. Had the company not followed the mandatory disclosure rule and acted swiftly, the outcome of this matter could have been worse. #govcon #far #fca #mandatorydisclosure #falseclaimsact

IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles FO: James Soriano of #LasVegas, a former civilian employee of #SanDiego based Naval Information Warfare Center, and Russell Thurston, a former executive with a South Carolina defense contractor, were #charged in an unsealed #indictment with participating in a #bribery scheme involving more than $100 million in #governmentcontracts. Soriano is also charged with three counts of filing false tax returns. “The DoD contracting process ensures our taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately to equip our warfighters with the tools necessary to fight and win in an ever-increasingly complex environment. Attempts to undermine that process ultimately put our warfighters at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation. “This most recent indictment against Mr. Soriano and Mr. Thurston is demonstrative of IRS Criminal Investigation’s relentless commitment to supporting national security through partnering on corruption investigations while continuing to pursue those who intentionally evade paying their fair share in taxes, whether their income is legally or illegally obtained.” Investigating agencies include, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation and Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General #lafo #taxfraud #taxevasion #bribery #conspiracy #followthemoney #whatwedomatters USAO Press Release: https://lnkd.in/gVprFQxp. https://lnkd.in/gbBUdX2C

This example of second-guessing by REMFs disgusts me; especially because they often superpose their own beliefs of how combat ought to occur while ignoring the fact that soldiers make decisions under situations that are "tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving." I have seen this done by sometimes well-meaning (sometimes malicious -- those seeking their "My Lai moment") Judge Advocates who simply don't know what they don't know. A group of my friends and I tried to invite Army JAGs to a force-on-force training iteration at Quantico, but were repeatedly ignored by Army leadership, who said things like, "Bolgiano and his FBI buddies are teaching soldiers to be trigger happy." Then, one JAG Colonel even called my supervisor at the Army War College in an attempt to bad mouth me ... thankfully, my War College boss told him to pound sand. This incessant assault on warriors is corrosive to both war fighting efficacy and good order and discipline. #army #CID #osi #judgeadvocates #ArmyJAGC #leadership #useofforce #investigations

In a tale that blurs the lines between fiction and the stark realities of military life, Sergeant Major Jorge E. Garcia finds himself ensnared in a web of illicit deeds that reads like a thriller, yet bears the weighty truth of betrayal within the hallowed grounds of Fort Liberty. #MilitaryScandal, #DrugTrafficking, #FortLiberty, #SergeantMajorGarcia, #BorderSmuggling, #MilitaryIntegrity, #GovernmentMisconduct, #NationalSecurity https://lnkd.in/g9uqgWPi

Incredibly important and valuable journalistic work done here. For the profession that valorizes honor, integrity, and selfless service (and purports to train on them), we should expect transparency and accountability as the norm, not the exception, even if it shows the world our own mistakes and bad actors. There are many practical ways to get after the systemic appearance of bias and naked self-interest that comes with “investigating our own bad behavior” …there’s a lot more work to be done and the DoD knows it. The proof? See DoD Directive 3000.17 on “civilian harm mitigation and response” (which in theory is even more responsive and sensitive to preventing and accounting for civilian harm caused by military force than the law of war requires)…but it’s relatively new, and its implementation by the Combatant Commands and lower HQs is uncertain. If the policies and procedures it requires now were in place in 2001-2023, this New Yorker research wouldn’t have been necessary.

Huge $950 million settlement in a #whistleblower case against RTX/Raytheon could be a sign of more to come. There have been relatively few such cases since consolidation of the aerospace industry to five major military players. This settlement, along with my whistleblower clients' settlement last year with KBR, Inc. for $108.75 million (https://lnkd.in/giQUm-JV), shows how the False Claims Act can effectively be used against crooked defense contractors. We have come a long way from the $436 hammers revealed in the 1980s. https://lnkd.in/gx35-ivR

Equal Justice is a fundamental principle that should apply universally, whether in civilian life or while serving in the Armed Forces. As a Retired Service Member and former Military Police Soldier, I have firsthand witnessed instances where senior officers and senior enlisted individuals receive preferential treatment even after being charged with serious crimes such as Assault, Domestic Violence, DUI, and Possession. Sadly, this disparity in treatment extends beyond the military into civilian life. A recent news article highlighted a concerning case where an Air Force General was allowed to continue serving despite being found guilty on some charges in a Sexual Assault case. Such occurrences are not uncommon, shedding light on the challenges of ensuring accountability and fairness within the military hierarchy. These incidents raise critical questions about the integrity of the military justice system and its impact on the morale and well-being of service members. The need for transparency and accountability in addressing misconduct is paramount to upholding the values of justice and equality within the Armed Forces. #EqualJustice #MilitaryJustice #Accountability #lawenforcement https://lnkd.in/eakpXiTc

This update couldn't be more timely or impactful. The guilty plea by a California man attempting to sell counterfeit electronic components underscores two critical issues I addressed while participating in an expert panel at the 2024 CBP Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit. Firstly, the compromise of DoD weapons track supply chains remains the Government Supply Chain Investigation Unit's highest priority. Secondly, collaborative efforts among federal law enforcement partners consistently yield significant results. The coordinated endeavor by HSI, their DoD investigative counterparts, supported by the USAO and DOJ, serves as yet another example of our shared commitment to safeguarding the US government's supply chain. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, DoD Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Homeland Security Investigations, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)

"While private military companies (PMCs) like Blackwater (now Academi) and Wagner have gained notoriety in war zones, #privatesecuritycompanies (PSCs) are rapidly expanding in non-combat settings. Despite some overlap between the two, PSCs generally protect assets and individuals. Often collaborating with law enforcement, the effectiveness and ethical standards of PSCs vary widely, and armed guards are increasingly common. Security guards in the U.S. in 2021 outnumbered police by about 3:2...As the role of private security continues to expand, regulations must evolve at the same pace. In the U.S., with regulations primarily established at the state level and lacking uniformity, there is a need for greater oversight to address potential issues effectively. Failing to do so will undermine public accountability by allowing private companies to operate with minimal restrictions, as well as deepen societal divides." https://lnkd.in/ehgJs6R9