War Dogs is a 2016 American biographical dark comedy-drama. The film is loosely based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a $300 million contract from the U.S. government to supply arms for allies of the United States in Afghanistan.
The True Story of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli
David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli were two young men from Miami, Florida. They met in high school and developed a friendship that would eventually lead to a lucrative business venture. In 2005, the two decided to take advantage of a Bush-era loophole in the U.S. government’s arms procurement system. The loophole allowed non-traditional defense contractors to bid on government contracts. Taking advantage of this, Packouz and Diveroli founded AEY Inc., a company that specialized in supplying foreign weapons and ammunition to the U.S. military.
How AEY Inc. Won a $300 Million U.S. Government Contract
In 2007, AEY Inc. won a $300 million contract from the U.S. government to supply arms for allies of the United States in Afghanistan. The contract was for the supply of millions of rounds of ammunition and other military equipment. To fulfill the contract, Packouz and Diveroli sourced weapons from various suppliers around the world, including from countries like China, which were not authorized by the U.S. government.
The Controversy Surrounding AEY Inc.
The contract won by AEY Inc. quickly became controversial. The U.S. government accused Packouz and Diveroli of fraud and making false statements in the course of their business dealings. The government also alleged that the two had violated the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits the sale of weapons to countries not authorized by the U.S. government.
The Outcome of the Controversy
Packouz and Diveroli were eventually arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud and violating the Arms Export Control Act. Packouz was sentenced to seven months in prison, while Diveroli was sentenced to four years. The two men were also ordered to pay $7.9 million in restitution to the U.S. government.
The Film War Dogs
The controversy surrounding Packouz and Diveroli’s business dealings eventually caught the attention of Hollywood filmmakers. In 2016, War Dogs, a biographical dark comedy-drama based loosely on the true story of Packouz and Diveroli, was released. The film was a box office success, grossing over $86 million worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Was War Dogs Based on a True Story
Q1. What is War Dogs?
War Dogs is a 2016 American biographical dark comedy-drama. The film is loosely based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a $300 million contract from the U.S. government to supply arms for allies of the United States in Afghanistan.
Q2. Who are David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli?
David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli were two young men from Miami, Florida. They met in high school and developed a friendship that would eventually lead to a lucrative business venture.
Q3. How did Packouz and Diveroli win a $300 million U.S. government contract?
In 2005, Packouz and Diveroli took advantage of a Bush-era loophole in the U.S. government’s arms procurement system. The loophole allowed non-traditional defense contractors to bid on government contracts. Taking advantage of this, Packouz and Diveroli founded AEY Inc., a company that specialized in supplying foreign weapons and ammunition to the U.S. military. In 2007, AEY Inc. won a $300 million contract from the U.S. government to supply arms for allies of the United States in Afghanistan.
Q4. What was the controversy surrounding AEY Inc.?
The U.S. government accused Packouz and Diveroli of fraud and making false statements in the course of their business dealings. The government also alleged that the two had violated the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits the sale of weapons to countries not authorized by the U.S. government.
Q5. What happened to Packouz and Diveroli after the controversy?
Packouz and Diveroli were eventually arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud and violating the Arms Export Control Act. Packouz was sentenced to seven months in prison, while Diveroli was sentenced to four years. The two men were also ordered to pay $7.9 million in restitution to the U.S. government.
Q6. What is War Dogs based on?
War Dogs is based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a $300 million contract from the U.S. government to supply arms for allies of the United States in Afghanistan.
Q7. How did the story of Packouz and Diveroli reach Hollywood?
The controversy surrounding Packouz and Diveroli’s business dealings eventually caught the attention of Hollywood filmmakers. In 2016, War Dogs, a biographical dark comedy-drama based loosely on the true story of Packouz and Diveroli, was released.
Q8. What box office success did War Dogs achieve?
War Dogs was a box office success, grossing over $86 million worldwide.
Q9. What was the loophole that Packouz and Diveroli exploited?
Packouz and Diveroli exploited a Bush-era loophole in the U.S. government’s arms procurement system. The loophole allowed non-traditional defense contractors to bid on government contracts.
Q10. What did Packouz and Diveroli have to pay in restitution?
Packouz and Diveroli were ordered to pay $7.9 million in restitution to the U.S. government.
Q11. What was the name of the company Packouz and Diveroli founded?
Packouz and Diveroli founded AEY Inc., a company that specialized in supplying foreign weapons and ammunition to the U.S. military.
Q12. What is the Arms Export Control Act?
The Arms Export Control Act is a U.S. law that prohibits the sale of weapons to countries not authorized by the U.S. government.
Q13. What kind of contract did AEY Inc. win from the U.S. government?
AEY Inc. won a $300 million contract from the U.S. government to supply arms for allies of the United States in Afghanistan. The contract was for the supply of millions of rounds of ammunition and other military equipment.
Q14. How did Packouz and Diveroli source weapons for the contract?
To fulfill the contract, Packouz and Diveroli sourced weapons from various suppliers around the world, including from countries like China, which were not authorized by the U.S. government.
Q15. What year was War Dogs released?
War Dogs was released in 2016.
Q16. How much money did War Dogs gross worldwide?
War Dogs grossed over $86 million worldwide.
Q17. What is the plot of War Dogs?
War Dogs follows the story of two young men, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who win a $300 million contract from the U.S. government to supply arms for allies of the United States in Afghanistan. The film follows the two men as they navigate the controversy surrounding their business dealings, as well as their eventual arrest and sentencing for fraud and violating the Arms Export Control Act.
Q18. Who directed War Dogs?
War Dogs was directed by Todd Phillips.
Q19. What country did Packouz and Diveroli source weapons from?
Packouz and Diveroli sourced weapons from various suppliers around the world, including from countries like China, which were not authorized by the U.S. government.
Q20. What did Packouz and Diveroli receive in terms of sentencing?
Packouz was sentenced to seven months in prison, while Diveroli was sentenced to four years. The two men were also ordered to pay $7.9 million in restitution to the U.S. government.