WASHINGTON — An Iraqi-born American citizen will strike a plea deal with the Justice Department as part of the federal investigation into the U.N. Oil-for-Food scandal, officials at Justice told FOX News. The Justice Department on Tuesday will announce the agreement with Samir Vincent, one of the men suspected of getting kickbacks as part of the multi-billion dollar scandal. The exact nature of the charges to which Vincent will plead is not yet known. Vincent will agree to help the prosecution as part of the deal, officials said. | "Spill your guts, Samir, or it's the big house for youz!" |
This case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York. The Justice Department's probe also has included U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan's son Kojo Annan.
Vincent's name was listed in the CIA's Iraq Survey Group report released in October 2003, which cited the Oil-for-Food scandal extensively in its discussion of Saddam Hussein's schemes. According to the report, Phoenix was awarded 1.5 million barrels of oil in 1999 and 2000, netting Vincent $1 million. Vincent and Phoenix received vouchers for 7.9 million barrels of oil, for a profit of $3.6 million between 1997 and 2001, according to the report.
Vincent was described as one of three U.S. citizens who were allowed to profit by selling Iraqi oil or the right to trade it. In a faxed statement to FOX News in October, Vincent said his company, Phoenix International, legally received oil vouchers under the program. FOX News attempted to reach Vincent and Phoenix International on Tuesday for comment on the plea agreement.
In 2000, Vincent led Iraqi religious leaders on a tour of the United States to push for an end to sanctions against Iraq. | Well, that's what he was paid the $1M to do. |
Among the people the group met with was former President Jimmy Carter. Vincent worked with Rev. Billy Graham on that tour. |