Defense contractors are employing top law firms to assist them in navigating lawsuits and federal investigations into alleged war profiteering and fraud in Iraq. According to an article in the September 5, 2007 issue of the National Law Journal, there are currently 80 federal investigations into contract fraud and more than 20 cases have been referred to the Dept. of Justice for prosecution. The government estimates that $10 billion in Iraq-related contracts are unaccounted for and may have been lost to fraud or other misconduct.
Among the law firms representing defense contractors are Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Vinson & Elkins of Houston, who are representing former Halliburton subsidiary KBR Inc. in a suit concerning a $25.7 billion contract to help rebuild oil services in Iraq.