U.S. officer charged with stealing Iraq relief funds

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A U.S. military officer has been charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash intended for relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. Department of Justice says. While stationed in Iraq between April 2007 and February 2009, Michael Dung Nguyen, 28, is alleged to have stolen more than $US690,000 ($1.1 million), sending it back to his home in north-western Oregon, the ABC News network quoted the department as saying in a statement. The funds were swiped from the Commander’s Emergency Response Program which was designed to empower local commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan to respond to humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts. After his return from Iraq, Nguyen is accused of opening new accounts at numerous banks to deposit the cash. After making the deposits “in a manner intended to avoid detection”, according to the Justice Department, Nguyen allegedly attempted money laundering with the purchase of high-end goods. He bought a luxury BMW and a 2009 model Hummer truck, along with computers, other electronic equipment and furniture. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in jail. AmR (S) 1