Russia, Clinton, Whitefish and Puerto Rico

After it came out that Clinton paid a foreign agent (Steele through Fusion GPS) to make up dirt on Trump (see previous post), the corporate media decided to turn their attention elsewhere. The new "big story" is about a company called Whitefish that has been hired to assist in rebuilding Puerto Rico's electrical grid. While a complete rebuild is believed to cost over $20 billion, Whitefish is only getting $300 million. This means that there will be more contracts down the road for lots more money.

The contract is between Puerto Rico and Whitefish and does not involve the United States government. It is basically a time and materials contract. The most pertinent aspect of the contract is that it provides that Whitefish will receive NO payments until after services have been rendered. Claims that they will get $300 million and not have to prove they did anything is a bald faced lie. In addition, the hourly cost for services is layed out in great detail in the attached exhibits, down to how much will be paid by hour for tree trimming (this is also called line clearance in the industry as it involves removing tree branches from around electrical lines). The rates are not the amount paid to the laborers; but, also include overhead, per diem and all other associated costs. Here is the actual contract.

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and Whitefish Contract.

Independent - Puerto Rico and Whitefish Energy defend $300m deal to repair island's power grid ravaged by Hurricane Maria. The governor is quoted in the article saying, "“Of those (contractors) who met the requirements and aggressive schedules to bring brigades, one was asking for a substantial amount of money - which PREPA had no liquidity for - and another did not require it,” Rossello said. “That other one is Whitefish.”

There could be something dirty in the deal; but, either Puerto Rico could pay in advance or they couldn't and needed a company to upfront the cash. Whitefish is part of a holding company and they will have to find the money which oddly enough is what holding companies do.