$13 Billion is a lot of Something

From the NY Times Article “Premier of Iraq is Quietly Firing Fraud Monitors“:

One Iraqi former chief investigator recently testified before Congress that $13 billion in reconstruction funds from the United States had been lost to fraud, embezzlement, theft and waste by Iraqi government officials.

$13 Billion? Squandered or wasted? I’m going to pretend I’m not cynical about how much more has truly been squandered in our adventurous disaster in the Middle East, but at a time when there are lots of people in the US that need some financial help, it’s great to know we’ve lined the pockets of Iraqi leaders and politicians.

What does the State Department have to say about it?

The United States Embassy in Baghdad did not respond on Monday to a request for comment on the dismissals.

Nothing? Imagine that. How embarrassing.