A Georgia Congressman this week questioned the effectiveness of the U.S. military’s information operations and urged top bass to probe evidence that two USA Today reporters investigating propaganda contracts were targeted in a “reputation attack campaign.”
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, threatened to attach to a defense authorization bill for 2013 an amendment that would cut $122M for military information operations.
Johnson in Congress May 9. |
“We face the disturbing possibility that a federal defense contractor that specializes in information and psychological operations may have targeted American journalists,” said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), referring to Leonie Industries. “And it may have done so using taxpayer dollars and tactics developed to counter the influence of adversaries such as al Qaeda and the Taliban.”
The two reporters, Tom Vanden Brook and Ray Locker, in February found that Dept. of Defense information operations, including PR, psychological ops and other communications, lacked proper oversight and were ineffective. Despite handling a $145M contract over three years, Leonie’s owners had limited experience with the military and owed at least $4M in federal taxes, the reporters found.
Johnson noted the journalists were targeted in a “disinformation and reputation attack campaign” that utilized fake Twitter and Facebook accounts, web domains in their names, “and the proliferation of false and damaging content attacking the journalists.”
Johnson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, made his critical remarks on May 9 during House debate on the National Defense Authorization Act for 2013. The congressman said he will follow up his remarks with the Defense Dept. and “possibly the Dept. of Justice” to get a full investigation.
Federal law prohibits military information operations on U.S. soil.
Leonie Mounts Defense
Leonie, one of a number of Pentagon PR contractors in recent years, is working with Patton Boggs on its defense to the charges raised by USA Today. PB defended the company in a March letter (PDF) to the Dept. of Defense Inspector General, noting Leonie has worked with the U.S. government since 2004 and is made up of “highly experienced and decorated information operations military veterans.”
“Futhermore, a key part of the Department of Defense’s rationale for contracting out information operations was, to the extent possible, to distance the U.S. military itself from these activities so as to maximize message credibility and leverage professional information operations expertise,” said the letter from PB’s Clark Ervin, an attorney who specializes in corporate clients under investigation. Ervin was former IG at the Dept. of Homeland Security, Dept. of State and Broadcasting Board of Governors.
In a statement, Leonie said April 28 that it is conducting an internal probe of the allegations made by USA Today and condemns the reprisal activities described.
“While Leonie has no reason to believe that any employee was involved in this activity, an internal investigation is being conducted to determine whether any employee was so involved,” the company said. “If that investigation determines that there was such involvement, appropriate action will be taken.”
The company also said all tax obligations of its owners have been met, adding that it experienced “some financial challenges” in the last few years which resulting in the owners being “unable to meet their personal tax obligations on time.”
As an LLC, Leonie’s tax obligations fall to its owners – Rema DuPont and Chidiac.