Erik Prince in the Hot Seat: Blackwater Founder Under Investigation for Illegal Mercenary Biz

democracynow.org - In a major new exposé, The Intercept has revealed that the Justice Department is investigating Blackwater founder Erik Prince for possible money laundering, ties to Chinese intelligence, and attempts to broker military services to foreign governments. Prince is currently the chairman of Frontier Services Group, an aviation and logistics firm specializing in shipping in Africa. But documents obtained by The Intercept show that Prince has also set up shell companies to offer paramilitary services to at least a half-dozen African nations, including Libya. Both the United States and the United Nations have imposed a series of restrictions on military dealings in Libya. Prince is also suspected of attempting to open Chinese bank accounts to move money for his Libyan associates. As part of its investigation, The Intercept obtained an internal slide presentation showing Prince’s private force would operate in Libya for the stated purpose of stopping the flow of refugees to Europe. Prince has also long been interested in raising a private military force to battle Islamic militant groups in a variety of countries. We spend the hour with The Intercept’s Jeremy Scahill and Matthew Cole, the reporters behind "Erik Prince in the Hot Seat." "In a lot of ways, Erik Prince is like a Mafia don," Scahill says. "He has been able to avoid any criminal charges against him personally for activities that his companies have engaged in. … Whether or not the U.S. government will actually seriously go after him is still to be seen." Scahill is the co-founder of The Intercept and author of the best-seller, "Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army." His most recent book, "Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield," is out in paperback, and his film "Dirty Wars" was nominated for an Academy Award.
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[@husleman]

Wow, that bush war had one hell of a snow ball effect.

[@elm6765]

+husleman They're all the same.... Trump just may be different... But, if elected, he'll get the SAME sit down shut up and listen from the one's above him speech they all get. At least Trump isn't a lawyer, i.e. British Agent under the B.A.R. with the "title" of Esquire of which Abe Lincoln was the first ... and put the U.S. under corporate status...NOT a Republic

[@KarlEriksenopinion]

Trump is a bit different- he lacks any moral fiber whatsoever, even that of concern for his children's survival. Even corporate robots like Clinton can understand they have to protect the environment if their children are to survive, but not Trump. He is pure narcissism. Also other politicians will try to avoid lying somewhat, but Trump has such a tenuous relationship with reality he can't distinguish a lie from the truth. To him 'patriotism' means talking loudly about America first while hiring a bunch of foreign agents to run the intelligence and security apparatus of the US, cutting the US government's ability to hep its citizens to the bone so we can heap another 50 billion on an already horribly bloated pentagon, and putting a bunch of incompetent, inexperienced and utterly dishonest people who oppose the mission of their portfolios in charge of US agencies.

[@russwilson2305]

Karl -well said.

[@TheMaryam1891]

husleman yes

[@TheMaryam1891]

Yes how Trump's rwo faced opinion of the beginning of the war, blaming Obama for trying to end our participation and then working with Prince trying to set up a paid military complex. Trump ain't 2 faced, he's 3 faced.

[@houseslosttribe1351]

I'd love to see Princes ties to OPEC exposed

[@lesliesawich8882]

HE IS PURE EVIL!!!!!!!!!

[@bobbymac3215]

This guy with Cheney should be in prison........

[@newjerseylion4804]

He a rich white guy so it’s going to be hard

[@splitter7479]

No justice ; No Peace !

[@realestatephillip6147]

So he was an economic hit man.

[@cdcanada7182]

I'm so sick of these greedy monsters. When will good people intercede and stop them? Their stranglehold is nearly complete.

[@philpottkentucky4802]

Erik Prince's own employees and friends say he's a monstrous psychopath. If this is the attitude of the people closest to you, what is he like in reality?

[@bullterror5]

A Monsterous, Sadistic Psychopath... In reality...

[@co6742]

Source? Interested to read what you’re referring to.

[@robertmartin7633]

Yeah, I would like a source as well. Mr. Prince seems like one of the most intelligent and hardworking men I've ever heard of.

[@KristinaTurnerAquarius]

I no longer match my baby photos or dental records or fingerprints after what they did to me and I am a DNA match to the DeVos family.

[@Hemulen40]

Blackwater , such a fitting name . Erik Prince sure washed his hands in muddy water .

[@bullterror5]

He washed his whole body in Shitty Water & does it everyday

[@Charge0Complete]

Prince needs to go to jail

[@Lobos222]

Look up my comment history and you will see I stated Prince was working for Chinese interest in Africa plenty of times... This is why having private larger military organizations is a bad idea. Their focus isnt loyalty to their nation, its profits. If you give a large enough group enforcement power. It will work until there is a disagreement, then that enforcement power is used against you instead of its intended opposition.

[@jb678901]

+Lobos222 Texaco was selling oil (at a discount) to Fascists during WWII because its CEO was sympathetic to Fascists; they even spied for the Fascists to take out allied shipping. The Kochs were helping Stalin drill for oil after WW2. Our history clearly shows that the elite are often more loyal to their bank accounts than to country.

[@chica476]

A shame he wasn't working for the Rhodesians/South-Africans when it counted. I think your claim is a little off-base. For example, Eeben Barlow, a former SADF Officer and SOF, has advised the Nigerian Military against Boko Haram to great results; previously, The Nigerian Army was plagued with not just corruption but also lack of discipline and foresight, Eeben's company quashed that.

[@Lobos222]

chica476 You are clearly missing the point here. Mercenaries work for money. They are not altruistic. You allow private armies or similar to get a strong foothold in your nation. Do NOT be surprised if their loyalty flips against you. US Prince now working against US interest and backing the Chinese is a perfect example of that. Plenty of historical examples of similar "private forces" going too far. One that comes to mind is the Roman example when the Praetorian guard (Emperors bodyguard unit that had become its own out of governmental control power structure ala Blackwater) auctioned off the Emperor seat to the highest bidder after they killed the former ruler because he wouldnt/couldnt pay them their self proclaimed bribery money.

[@chica476]

Lobos222 I didn't miss the point. We were talking about two different things entirely.

[@Lobos222]

chica476 "The Nigerian Army was plagued with not just corruption but also lack of discipline and foresight, Eeben's company quashed that." While the outcome might be more tolerable in that example. There is no conceptional difference between that and Hitlers use of hes Sturmabteilung (private force) to consolidate power. We are not talking about different things. You just have a much narrower view of the subject to a point you are not seeing the big picture and that is why you try to push an anecdotal situation of as positive for the subject as a whole while being unaware of the fact that the only reason the mercenaries was there was money. The result could just as well have been the opposite without changing the subject. Executive Outcomes could just as well have worked for the other side..., but then you wouldnt have used it as an example and instead opted for a similar anecdotal example were the outcome was better from your point of view.

[@sheepwshotguns42]

this is some sick shit

[@bonnieburton9985]

Got that right it’s like people aren’t human anymore greed and evil sick is that

[@micoforion]

Great reporting :) thank you. Prince, merchant of death.

[@distatic]

13:27 A car stained with blood 22:27 "remember you can't curse on the air" American TV regulations in a nutshell...

[@lovely-mk4rt]

Excellent information. Thank you all for bringing this into the light.

[@geraldmanis5014]

"War is one of the most important things a country does abroad." Yikes, and you let that pass?

[@mikev6046]

+Gerald Manis What are they supposed to reply back with? He's right.

[@kimjameson7979]

There was only one mention of the Cheney link. Can we have the rest of the story?

[@bullterror5]

Yes Please.. Cheney & Trump both link Princess to Murdoch & Netanyahu...

[@kenbrownfield6584]

Very informative vid. Thank you Jeremy, Matt and Amy.

[@connorrothbard9689]

Erik Prince has done so much good for the world, and yet the media love to hate him. Do yourself and look into this man, from sources that are willing to listen to his story, before you make up your mind on his motivations.

[@nancylevine2776]

I know someone and quite well who worked for Blackwater and he admitted that they were nothing but mercenaries and bragged that they could do whatever they wanted because they did not have to follow the "Rules of Engagement".

[@distatic]

The US and Saudis create mercenaries to fight soviets, then they "went rouge", they create other mercenaries like Blackwater to go after them, now they too are going rouge... (The hight of irony)

[@MrStuVW]

new world order gettin' away with murder.

[@lizzapaolia959]

Great video. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@houseslosttribe1351]

If the US wants to improve its image then they would ask the president to use executive order to stop private military forces since congress has failed to act We need a national outcry for Congress to stop this practice !

[@idicula1979]

If I was going to put an angle on Eric Prince I would say Iraq war was just a training for his paramilitary drills and he is chomping at the bit that Obama did not call upon his services especially in Libya but in all of the Arab Spring demonstration and protest.

[@chica476]

The title is misleading. Reading as it would be read, one would assume that the "Mercenary Biz" itself was illegal, when in actuality, it's the money laundering that made the Private Security Consultancy illegal, not the fact that it's PMC. Shame on you Amy Goodman.

[@1bush053]

Betsy Devos's brother wow how corrupt.

[@keithe5549]

By the way what ever happened to the 2 tons of gold bars that Qaddafi was using to back up his dinar

[@bullterror5]

Good Question...

[@edwardwoods9757]

Looks like Eric was busy this year and last

[@mulliniks51]

Eric Prince trusts his barber to do the right thing .

[@AlirezaNexus]

Wow. Just kept me watching through the whole lot

[@tonyhsieh1375]

The king of Holland is not just Prince but also Van Andel and De Voss family who lives here as well, they are the founders of Amway. Also we have other kings like Howard Miller, Herman Miller and the list goes on and on.

[@Mr.Carter777]

great video.

[@alhousseynindianor3304]

PMC MUST BE INTERNATIONAL WORLDWIDE

[@lizatanzawa7910]

I'd like to know how Bloody Erik can call himself a Christian

[@tonyhsieh1375]

The reason why foreigners open bank accounts under their company's name and their own is to establish a company and get a work visa as well good for 2 to 5 years.

[@lovely-mk4rt]

The Prince family fortune is Amway.

[@ununseptium7961]

They can't say bullshit, but they can say the synonym, Erik Prince?

[@bonnieburton9985]

Money for war greed suffering get the scum bags of the street oh my God I don’t think there is any human beings left out here anymore even animals have more sense what is God thinking God help us all this is just unbelievable

[@justinanderson617callme]

this is like real life metal gear solid

[@TheChats02]

Prince is the brother of Betsy de Vos, the new secretary of Education who believes in tax payer support of "religious" schools. I wonder what they preach in these "religious" schools.

[@rossgarner58]

Erik Prince traitor par excellence.

[@MyMojo13]

Woohoo more swamp creatures, move over boyz!

[@jpgochoco]

US Mercenary?

[@MorpheusMind]

From a IT career perspective, the ability to have an exciting and interesting career with high level international security sounded appealing and exciting but I guess with the good money you have to think about other factors developing in any corporation. How far will humans go for infinite wealth ? Some have limits...many do not ( What do people of elite wealth and power always crave...more power and more wealth)

[@nesyjones6107]

It's going down. just wait and see who name comes up next.

[@chanthoernyem5749]

Dam

[@zyzzyvacation]

22:23 Prince's lawyer Victoria Toensing became chief counsel to Senator Barry Goldwater where she helped draft the "Intelligence Identities Protection Act" of 1982🤔

[@philliplopez8745]

war is the most organized of crime !!!

[@stevestephens592]

I did not say that if people are changing my words

[@ttttypes]

A monster from my home state.

[@CrackheadOwen]

I don't see why this is so shocking when it already goes on openly. we simply call them allies. not that it's redeeming for either but it does not surprise me

[@flypurplecat4774]

THAT is where I know Prince from...I know retired cops in Wis who were hired in Wis. to go to Iraq and train volunteer soldiers and were paid gobs of money! One said the civilian "soldiers" were.untrainable" and were used to substandard equipment and only guerilla tactics so the cops came home after 6 weeks. They said boss used to work for Johnson Controls .

[@ayebee652]

Scahill da big homie but that cut gotta go!

[@sbmcbaker]

boy scout going rogue.... #UNSAT

[@tonyhsieh1375]

Erik Prince is a billionaire.

[@ETericET]

OK ... His name is spelt with a k not a c .. so he is NOT a member of the international association of Eric's. We have disowned him :)

[@joereyes5500]

I hope they was ban from USA becuz we dont hear of them no more so where are they now

[@elm6765]

Prince is a dual citizen... U.S. and Israel... FYI

[@DeathToChaosGods]

Eddie Martin no he isn't.

[@robertreynolds4230]

if he is a monster then im the devil.

[@umalkheirabdallah7701]

He istabuleshed non muslim militry this man must face justice

[@geekthegirl6961]

Would not be surprised to learn that Eric Prince is gay.

[@patrickmartin890]

The amount of tax payer money spent for blackwater in the Iraq war made Erk Prince Very Wealthy.See documentary, Iraq for sale.It puts it into perspective.

[@MrStuVW]

remember the 2.3 Trillion lost the day before 9/11? this guy and his sister got a bunch of that cash...

[@RandyHartono]

Woooooooow... Blood Business

[@umalkheirabdallah7701]

Erik prince must face justice many civililan killed in his project we need accountibility the world wee need young generantion to live peace this man is confused the world he face the justes in Allah inshlahaa

[@michaelk2120]

interesting, personal attacks intermixed with a collection of facts (including PRIVATE one on one meetings). Something is not adding up.

[@carolewilkins9505]

You don't honestly think he will be chastised, his sister is in the trump gov. So much for all people being treated equally

[@stevestephens592]

Blackwater but you know I still be in Blackwater but got kicked out got got removed in the DSs so yeah no more Blackwater no more Nikita golfing alive

[@TheSpiritOfTheTimes]

I want to be like Scahill and Greenwald and the other Intercept guys when I grow up. Where do I apply?

[@fasilmerenu626]

Why don't anybody take him out for lunch with azwahre or alsheba thes guy should be in jail or the losing of Isis is going to get him.

[@bullterror5]

Now he has run off & lost $80 Million Dollars of Warlord Haftar's Weapons Money... HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH

[@alhousseynindianor3304]

i would like to join pmc

[@CECICEO-cz9ho]

Elitist psychopath. Now he's trying to take over Afghanistan through Trump and his rich sister Betsy de Voss, Education Secretary under Trump. Lock them all up.

[@donemigholzjr.7344]

Mercenary Armies for the commandeering of Sovereign nations oil facilities and global oil contracts.

[@houseslosttribe1351]

Don Emigholz Jr. HE BELIEVE per online chatter w those who have proof that prince has worked for tillerson & trump who both serve OPEC

[@frankodonnell4073]

say it what it is prince runs a mersinary army

[@yunathunzion9674]

For Judgement-(DEATH) comes for Esau who is Amalek, who are Edom, which are the Caucasian nations by way of the WRATH OF THE LAMB. REVELATION 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)-(LORD YASHAYA KNOWS OUR OPPRESSION-AFFLICTION & DESTRUCTION AT THE HANDS OF OUR ENEMIES AS HE HIMSELF ENDURED THEM FOR US-BUT WE ARE RICH BECAUSE WE ARE THE LORD’S HERITAGE-WE ARE THE WORLD & THE WORLD WAS CREATED FOR US), and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews-(AMALEK-EDOM-THE CAUCASIAN NATIONS), and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan-(THESE WICKED SERPENTS ARE THE CHIEF HOUSE OF THE DEVIL HIMSELF). NOW WHO SHALL DENY THIS REPORT? J.R.WILLIS AUTHOR: A RACE OF DEMONS REFINED 2017 AUTHOR: SPIRITUAL CRIMES 2018 AUTHOR: THE PROPHECIES AUTHOR: THE BOOK OF DAEMONOLOGIE YEAR 2020

[@stevestephens592]

Overweight over wet over where no more Blackwater well I have to still give you a job but don't follow behind me I am now living a life of nothing for it I like my life I would rather keep my cover over with

[@ernststavroblofeld1961]

I always warned you, that Prince is a commie.

[@jb678901]

+Ernst Stavro Blofeld No he's not. He's a pure Capitalist who puts money before country. That's pretty clear. Stop trying to re-brand him for your own peace of mind.

[@SuperNoobTroll]

There goes another one of Obama's "great" accomplishments...

[@stevestephens592]

What do you want remember this guy's fast and the furious Dom's was men pursued by the size by the vs sr41 DFS VFS the DSs Angel 41

[@stevestephens592]

This thing is censoring me and changing my words no more Blackwater not in Blackwater no more write a legalizing marijuana and remove that controlling the volume from back of my head and do free well and go skate most likely I made a better decision to leave Blackwater Fox Blackwater I would only give you jobs the I choose they are editing my words right now in the VSS DSS so you're 41

[@alhousseynindianor3304]

I LIKE THIS ORGANIZATION

[@jackchorn]

It will not surprise me if Scahill ends up with an aggressive cancer.

[@akpstar6331]

LONG LIVE ERIK PRINCE

[@jeremyserwer2586]

In prison!