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| US officer 'stole Iraq aid funds' | US officer 'stole Iraq aid funds' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A US army captain has been charged with stealing nearly $700,000 intended for emergency reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. | A US army captain has been charged with stealing nearly $700,000 intended for emergency reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| Michael Dung Nguyen, 28, is accused of stealing the money and sending it back home while he was stationed in Iraq between April 2007 and February 2009. | Michael Dung Nguyen, 28, is accused of stealing the money and sending it back home while he was stationed in Iraq between April 2007 and February 2009. |
| He allegedly spent the money on luxury cars, electronics and furniture. | He allegedly spent the money on luxury cars, electronics and furniture. |
| He has pleaded not guilty to charges including theft of government property and money laundering. | He has pleaded not guilty to charges including theft of government property and money laundering. |
| In depth: Struggle for Iraq | |
| At a district court hearing, prosecutors claimed Nguyen stole $690,000 ($484,575) from the Commanders' Emergency Response Program (Cerp) - a pot of money designated to local commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan for urgent relief and reconstruction needs. | At a district court hearing, prosecutors claimed Nguyen stole $690,000 ($484,575) from the Commanders' Emergency Response Program (Cerp) - a pot of money designated to local commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan for urgent relief and reconstruction needs. |
| They allege Nguyen, who was working as a battalion civil affairs officer in Iraq, mailed bundles of $100 bills back to his home in Oregon state. | They allege Nguyen, who was working as a battalion civil affairs officer in Iraq, mailed bundles of $100 bills back to his home in Oregon state. |
| When he returned he opened numerous bank accounts and deposited the money in small amounts to avoid detection, the prosecutors claim. | When he returned he opened numerous bank accounts and deposited the money in small amounts to avoid detection, the prosecutors claim. |
| He is also accused of attempting to launder the cash by buying a luxury BMW car and a 2009 model Hummer truck as well as computers, electronic equipment and furniture. | He is also accused of attempting to launder the cash by buying a luxury BMW car and a 2009 model Hummer truck as well as computers, electronic equipment and furniture. |
| US Attorney Karin Immergut said the charges indicated a "flagrant and reprehensible disregard" of US military principles. | US Attorney Karin Immergut said the charges indicated a "flagrant and reprehensible disregard" of US military principles. |
| Nguyen is due to stand trial in May. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. | Nguyen is due to stand trial in May. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. |