DoD Contractors Stolen Artifacts Returned to Iraq

07/08/2011 - Iraq Contract Corruption Initiative Uncovers Old Babylonian Period Items

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Eight cultural antiquities seized in a 2006 FBI International Contract Corruption Task Force (ICCTF) investigation were returned to the government of Iraq today. The antiquities, from Old Babylonian period to the Neo-Assyrian or Neo-Babylon periods, were presented during a joint repatriation ceremony attended by Samir Shakir Mahmood Sumaida’ie, Iraqi Ambassador to the United States; Ronald T. Hosko, Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division at the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Kumar Kibble, Deputy Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“These artifacts are truly invaluable and the FBI is pleased to be able to return them to their rightful owner,” said Special Agent in Charge Hosko. “The FBI is committed to identifying and preventing corruption and contract fraud no matter where it takes place. The FBI’s International Contract Corruption Task Force focuses on government contracting activity overseas, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. Working abroad does not entitle anyone to remove historic artifacts and treat them as mementos for illegal sale.”

In March of 2006, through a public corruption investigation, the FBI Washington Field Office recovered artifacts during an investigation of former Department of Defense (DoD) contractors who, between January and December 2004, participated in a bribery and fraud scheme that involved contracts in the reconstruction of Iraq. read more>>>