Congress Eyes Iraqi-American in Oil Scandal

WASHINGTON – A second Iraqi-American has drawn congressional scrutiny as part of the continuing investigations into the U.N.'s Oil-for-Food program, FOX News has learned.

So far, one Iraqi-American — Samir Vincent (search) — has pleaded guilty to being an unregistered agent of Saddam Hussein in the United States. Vincent admitted he received millions in oil allocations from Saddam to sway U.S. policy against sanctions against Iraq.

Now, the House International Relations Committee is questioning whether Shakir Al-Khafaji (search), a well-known Detroit-area strip-mall developer, who raised money for Iraqi humanitarian aid and spoke out against sanctions on Iraq, may also have been on Saddam's payroll.

In 1991, Al-Khafaji also criticized former President George H.W. Bush, blaming him for the misery of the Iraqi people.

Al-Khafaji's name appeared on the Saddam regime's oil-voucher list; he allegedly was given oil allocations worth an estimated $1 million.

He also purportedly gave $400,000 to Scott Ritter (search), a former U.N. weapons inspector, to make the anti-sanctions film "In Shifting Sands."

In the 1980s, Al-Khafaji was convicted for not revealing he was sending weapons to Iraq. Court papers showed he ran an import-export company and admitted having priced armor-piercing ammunition, AK-47 assault rifles, night-vision equipment, Bell helicopters and tanks.

He also admitted trying to get parts for what he was told was Saddam's personal car — a 1979 Cadillac Seville.

In court, Al-Khafaji was asked by his lawyer if he was an agent of the Iraqi government or an employee of the Iraqi government. His response: "I'm not employee."

Al-Khafaji has not responded to repeated requests by FOX News asking if he received the oil vouchers from Saddam. His lawyer, who is also his sister, has said he has done nothing wrong or illegal and that the allegations are ludicrous.

FOX News' Eric Shawn and Jonathan Wachtel contributed to this report.