Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
NBC
April 14, 2008 NBC Nightly News, 6:30 PM
LISA MYERS reporting: As police sift through materials seized at the compound for evidence of physical and sexual abuse, there is new information on who helped fund the polygamist sect: the US government. Documents obtained by NBC News showed the Pentagon awarded at least $1.5 million in contracts for aircraft parts and other equipment to two companies owned and operated by top church officials.
Some of the contracts came even after church leader Warren Jeffs was put on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list and after public reports associating top company officials such as Wendell Neilsen with Jeffs.
Should those kind of relationships have raised red flags?
Rep. KAY GRANGER (R-Texas): That was a pretty public investigation-manhunt having to do with the head of that sect. So I think there's certainly an investigation warranted and hearings.
MYERS: How do we know money from the businesses made its way to the controversial church? This 2005 affidavit from Neilsen's own son said his company, Western Precision, sent as much as $100,000 a month to the sect. Private eye Sam Brower has investigating the polygamous sect for five years.
SAM BROWER: The likelihood that church-run businesses funded the compound in Texas is 100 percent.
MYERS: Western Precision also did business with other sources, including taking loans from Wells Fargo and GE Capital, owned by the parent company of NBC. Today the business, now named New Era Manufacturing, would not talk to an NBC producer or respond to calls. The Pentagon says it does not consider a company's religious affiliation in awarding contracts, only cost and performance.
Lisa Myers, NBC News, Washington.
April 14, 2008 NBC Nightly News, 6:30 PM
LISA MYERS reporting: As police sift through materials seized at the compound for evidence of physical and sexual abuse, there is new information on who helped fund the polygamist sect: the US government. Documents obtained by NBC News showed the Pentagon awarded at least $1.5 million in contracts for aircraft parts and other equipment to two companies owned and operated by top church officials.
Some of the contracts came even after church leader Warren Jeffs was put on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list and after public reports associating top company officials such as Wendell Neilsen with Jeffs.
Should those kind of relationships have raised red flags?
Rep. KAY GRANGER (R-Texas): That was a pretty public investigation-manhunt having to do with the head of that sect. So I think there's certainly an investigation warranted and hearings.
MYERS: How do we know money from the businesses made its way to the controversial church? This 2005 affidavit from Neilsen's own son said his company, Western Precision, sent as much as $100,000 a month to the sect. Private eye Sam Brower has investigating the polygamous sect for five years.
SAM BROWER: The likelihood that church-run businesses funded the compound in Texas is 100 percent.
MYERS: Western Precision also did business with other sources, including taking loans from Wells Fargo and GE Capital, owned by the parent company of NBC. Today the business, now named New Era Manufacturing, would not talk to an NBC producer or respond to calls. The Pentagon says it does not consider a company's religious affiliation in awarding contracts, only cost and performance.
Lisa Myers, NBC News, Washington.