Too few agents to look for fraud in contracts

[unhappycamper]

Following the money
Fewer than 100 agents assigned to procurement.


Too few agents to look for fraud in contracts
By Richard Lardner - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jun 13, 2008 6:05:56 EDT

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Double-billing. Bribes. Kickbacks. Military contracts are big targets for serious crimes — and there aren’t nearly enough investigators to catch them all.

The Army’s contracting budget has exploded since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began — from $46 billion in 2002 to $112 billion in 2007. Yet the number of people who hunt down crooked companies and corrupt officials has stayed about the same, according to Associated Press interviews and research.

Army investigation chiefs told the AP they need a dramatic increase in agents to fight contract fraud.

In combat zones, deals can be made quickly, often with foreign companies in countries where bribes are a routine part of doing business. Yet to monitor those billions in contracts, just under 100 civilian agents are assigned to the Army Criminal Investigation Command’s procurement fraud office.

Even with more fraud police, there would be no guarantees. Flaws in how the Army awards and manages contracts, especially overseas, also need to be fixed to curb criminal activity.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/06/ap_fraudinvestigators_061208/