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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

DEA Breached Contract With ‘Princess’ Informant

(CN) - The Drug Enforcement Agency breached its implied contract with an informant known as "the Princess" who was kidnapped by guerillas on an undercover mission in Colombia, the Court of Federal Claims ruled.

Judge Williams determined that the DEA sent the Princess undercover without informing DEA headquarters or Colombian authorities of her mission. She was held captive for three months.

However, the Princess did not succeed on her claims that she should be paid a 25 percent commission on the money and property seized through her efforts.

Williams found that the DEA "promised to pay the Princess her salary, expenses and rewards of commissions of 'up to' 25 percent of the seizures."

In fact, her supervisor was authorized to pay her $25,000 but only recommended bonuses that needed to be approved by higher authorities at the DEA or Department of Justice.

"In the almost four years that the Princess worked a confidential informant," Williams wrote, "she was paid approximately $1.85 million. Given the nature of the agreement, Plaintiff is entitled to no more commissions, rewards or awards."

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