Probe of irregularities in defense contract audits: Pentagon

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — A Pentagon agency that oversees billions of dollars in defense contracts said Friday it has asked for a review of allegations that supervisors sought to pressure auditors to favor major contractors.

The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) took the step following a scathing report by a congressional audit agency this week that found numerous irregularities in a review of 14 DCAA audits between 2003 and 2007.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) also charged that DCAA managers took actions against staff, "attempting to intimidate auditors, prevent them from speaking with investigators, and creating a generally abusive work environment."

DCAA director April Stephenson said she had asked the Defense Department's inspector general to...