Blackwater Hires John Ashcroft as Ethics Head

Xe Services, the artist formerly known as Blackwater, has hired none other than John Ashcroft to be its guiding light on ethics. Ashcroft has been named an “independent director” in charge of Xe’s new subcommittee on governance. His job? To “promote the highest degrees of ethics and professionalism.” In other words, Wired quips, “no more shooting civilians … no more impersonations of cartoon characters to acquire weaponry, and no more ‘roids and coke on the job.” We might add: No more charging taxpayers for hookers.

The signing indicates that Xe’s new owners are serious about getting government contracts again. Thought Ashcroft has been a controversial figure, he’s well known to the federal officials Xe will be trying to win over, and should inspire some confidence. “This is a company with a strong history of service to its country,” Ashcroft said in a statement, “and a reputation of best-in-class offerings to its public and private customers.” (More Blackwater stories.)