Details the myriad illegal, immoral, and unethical activities of Dick Cheney when CEO of Halliburton, his obstruction of justice, and lies to the American public since his appointment as Vice President. For information on an equally corrupt politician, see link to Tom DeLay-Corporate Whore. Be sure to visit our cavernous vault of archives.

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Whistleblower to tell story in B.C.

Stephanie Antonian Rutherford
The Enquirer

Bunnatine Greenhouse made international headlines as the high-ranking government employee who testified against Halliburton. This week, she will be in Battle Creek to share her story.



Greenhouse is a former chief contracting officer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. On June 27, 2005, she testified in front of a Democratic Party public committee, alleging specific instances of fraud, waste and other irregularities by Halliburton, in regard to its operations in Iraq since the Iraq War.

The South Central Michigan AFL-CIO, PheNix Concepts, a local Concerned Citizens group and Families Against Murder/For Equal Justice (F.A.M.E.) are sponsoring Greenhouse's visit.

"I think that people will be blown away when they hear her story," said Richard Frantz, president of the South Central Michigan AFL-CIO. "She has been through so much and still stands her ground."

Halliburton is one of the world's largest providers of oil and gas services. Vice president Dick Cheney was the former chief executive for the Texas-based company.

During the June 27 testimony, Greenhouse described one of Halliburton's no-bid contracts awarded to Kellogg, Brown and Root — a subsidiary of Halliburton — as "the most blatant and improper contract abuse I have witnessed during the course of my professional career."

Greenhouse was hired to her post by Lt. Gov. Joe Ballard in 1997 to oversee contracts at the Army Corps of Engineers.

Greenhouse's lawyer, Michael Kohn, alleges that after Ballard retired in 2000, Greenhouse's performance reviews, which had been exemplary during her entire public career, became negative. In August 2005, she was demoted in what Kohn called an "obvious reprisal" for her revelations about the Halliburton contracts. Greenhouse will be joined by Kohn in Battle Creek, where they will stay from Wednesday through Saturday. While in Battle Creek, Greenhouse will meet with local groups, Blacks in

Government and the Civil Rights Group, over dinner at 17 West. Greenhouse will also visit two city landmarks — the statues honoring Sojourner Truth and the Underground Railroad. Frantz worked with Reba Harrington, a federal attorney at the Federal Center in Battle Creek, to organize Greenhouse's visit. Frantz said that bringing Greenhouse to Battle Creek in March is ideal because March is "Women's History Month." "I compare her to Rosa Parks, because she said 'I won't stand for this!' " Frantz said. "Even though she suffered because of it, she didn't back down."

Aside from her stops in Battle Creek, Greenhouse will meet with students at Western Michigan University, Olivet College and make a broadcast on radio station WFPM.

The highlight of Greenhouse's visit, Frantz said, will be a "Community Heroes Mixer," held at McCamly Plaza at 5 p.m. on Friday. The invitation-only event will honor Greenhouse, along with local community heroes.

"Mrs. Greenhouse has so much courage and character," Frantz said "While many people are willing to turn a blind eye when they see something done wrong, she stood up against it. She's a hero."

Stephanie Antonian Rutherford is a general assignment reporter. She can be reached at 966-0665 or srutherford@battlecr.gannett.com.