This is a two part question.
I recently saw a short piece on TV about hundreds of millions of American dollars found by US troops in Iraq. Apparently after trying to fatten their pockets, a few soldiers were arrested. Can they really be found guilty for keeping a few dollars that belonged to noone?
After the money is confiscated what happens to it. Does it go to G. Dubs account?
Can they send me a couple’a bucks?
It is found cash after all! And I’m a really good guy!
Just wondering.
RTRDG
I think the Iraqi people would have made a fuss, and rightly so; whatever assets found in Iraq, are theirs (whether private or statal); the correct procedure would be to secure them until the rightful owner is found.
Taking away values you find around a conquered nation is spoiling, plundering; frowned upon by modern, professional armies; and if I´m not mistaken it can ground you on a court martial in the U.S.A and probably in most other countries.
It also occurs to me that much of that money might be counterfeit, in which case anyone trying to pass it (regardless of how it was obtained) might be guilty of a crime, and would certainly find the bits of paper confiscated by the authorities.
There was a similar case shortly after the invasion where American troops happened upon a suitcase full of cash in one of Saddam’s palaces or hiding places. The money was turned over to the occupation government.
In a war, as far as I know, all property captured is property of the US Government. This is so in order to prevent looting, among other reasons.
If an army gets a reputation for taking the time out to loot and generally have a good time after a victorious battle there is nothing easier than to provide such an opportunity and then strike while the troops are busy at their looting.