Here’s a great article from the LA Times about the Carlyle Group with some really fantastic detail. Arms Buildup Enriches Firm Staffed by Big Guns. Ex-president and other elites are behind weapon-boosting Carlyle Group:
“On a single day last month, Carlyle earned $237 million selling shares in United Defense Industries, the Army’s fifth-largest contractor. The stock offering was well timed: Carlyle officials say they decided to take the company public only after the Sept. 11 attacks. The stock sale cashed in on increased congressional support for hefty defense spending, including one of United Defense’s cornerstone weapon programs.”
“It’s the first time the president of the United States’ father is on the payroll of one of the largest U.S. defense contractors,” said Charles Lewis, director of the Center for Public Policy and one of Carlyle’s most ardent critics.
“Between Baker and Carlucci, not to mention dear old dad, the relationship of the president with this particular company is as tight and close as, well, anyone can imagine.”