Evidence of Iraq reconstruction fraud handed over to federal prosecutors News
Evidence of Iraq reconstruction fraud handed over to federal prosecutors

[JURIST] The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction [official website] told a House subcommittee hearing focused on the US handling of the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) [official website] on Tuesday that evidence relating to finances used for reconstruction has been handed over to the US Attorney [official profile] for the Eastern District of Virginia. Stuart Bowen Jr. [backgrounder] said the evidence points to three potential fraud cases, following an audit that found nearly $100 million from the DFI fund derived from Iraqi oil revenue and other Iraqi assets unaccounted for. Lawmakers have criticized the Pentagon for hiding information from auditors, especially regarding disclosures concerning government contractor Halliburton. The Washington Post has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.