Weldon Finds New Career as Arms Trader

July 9th, 2008, posted by Greg Palmer

Wired’s Sharon Weinberger, also author of last week’s FP web exclusive, recently reported that former Pennsylvania Congressman Curt Weldon has found a new job brokering arms deals between Russian and Ukrainian arms suppliers and the Iraqi and Libyan governments.Though he’s currently under FBI investigation for corruption during his time in office, Weldon hasn’t let that slow his private-sector activities. He’s now the head of Defense Solutions, a Pennsylvania-based firm that is starting to make a name for itself as a weapons-trading middleman.

Companies like Defense Solutions allow the U.S. government to circumvent regulations by contracting with an American company, which then buys arms from Eastern European countries to deliver to Iraq. The company is also planning deals with sketchier customers like the blacklisted Russian company Rosoboronexport and the government of Libya, which is still under a US arms embargo. And Weldon isn’t the only Washington insider with links to the trade. Another Defense Solutions team member that might ring a bell is former White House drug czar General Barry McAffrey.

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Pretty outrageous

On July 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:

I’m sorry, but this is truly outrageous. Suppose this was an American citizen who happened to be Muslim instead of a retired congressman or retired military officer. We’d all be ready to throw him or her into the abyss at Gitmo.

I guess it goes to show that war is a global business and knows neither sides nor nationalities.

When is intermission?

On July 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:

When is intermission? I’m going to get some popcorn for the rest of the movie.
JP

unsurprisingly disgusting

On July 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:

unsurprisingly disgusting behavior from our criminal ex-congresscritter. can’t believe it is nearly 2 years and he is still at large…gotta love the Bush “justice department”

Still non-plussed

On July 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Who doesn’t believe at least some of the weapons won’t be used to kill Weldon’s and McCafferty’s fellow Americans and GIs? Un-freaking-believable.

The almighty dollar…it is

On July 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:

The almighty dollar…it is what drives the oil companies into crushing the very economies that allow them to survive…it is what will drive the electrical grid into a golden web of kilowatts…it is what drove sub-prime housing into the American Dream that is slipping away for so many…and it is what drives a man into selling only things that kill.

No! No! Not crack and heroin and meth…but guns and rockets and mines. Ah yes, mines. The leading killer of children in Southeast Asia for over 40 years.
JP

Please put this guy in jail

On July 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:

We know he has done or will do something criminally related – so just stop him now!!! He doesn’t seem able to stop himself!

Maybe not Treason, but Damn Close

On July 9th, 2008 thegentlemanfro... said:

The truly shocking aspect of this story isn’t necessarily Weldon’s behavior. The man is a fraud and may very well go the way of Duke Cunningham. I just cannot wrap my head around the fact that an American “defense” firm is enthusiastically courting a country that was listed as a state sponsor of terror just a mere two years ago. Has anyone stopped to consider the fact that Gaddafi just might be running a game here? Once you’re removed from State’s terror list, the floodgates and trade and commerce open wide, no? Gaddafi, in all likelihood, would be unable to finance a major revamping of his outdated military with his country blacklisted. So, he plays nice and magically, we come to him! In fact, a former vice-chair of the House Armed Services Committee travels TO LIBYA to kiss his ring. I would say that Weldon should be ashamed, but that would assume the man is actually capable of that emotion. Don’t be surprised if some of the equipment that “Defense Solutions” peddles in Libya and elsewhere somehow “falls into the wrong hands”. At that point, Weldon and those of like-mind will have blood on theirs.

I believe the big push to

On July 10th, 2008 Anonymous said:

I believe the big push to bring Gaddafi back into the fold was to give developers a shot at Libya’s great Mediterranean beaches. Come on, Gent…what’s more important…American lives or a great hotel room with a view?
You’re right Gent…its real damn close!!
JP