[Peace-discuss] Blackwater USA and University of Illinois Police Training Institute

[Roger Epperson]

Why do we have to read about local matters in the
Chicago Tribune? The News Gazette was scooped again!

A potential conflict of interest involving a
University of Illinois director and the military
security contractor Blackwater U.S.A. is being
investigated.

In May, Tom Dempsey, director of the university's
police training institute, signed an agreement with
Blackwater allowing for an exchange of staff and
students and to share facilities, the Chicago Tribune
reported Tuesday.

Then on July 19, Dempsey submitted a request for time
off to consult for Blackwater in Afghanistan, which
was granted.

Dempsey, 58, is paid $118,178 annually by the
university. School conflict policy requires employees
to disclose whether they are receiving $10,000 or more
from a company doing business with the university.

When asked about Dempsey's role in the company, a
Blackwater spokeswoman told the Tribune it's against
company policy to discuss employees in sensitive
positions overseas.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International



       
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