[Vision2020] Billions in Defense Spending Unchecked

[Tom Hansen]

>From the Army Times at:

http://www.ArmyTimes.com

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Billions in defense spending unchecked

By Anne Flaherty - The Associated Press
   
WASHINGTON — Pentagon auditors say billions of dollars in military 
spending is going unchecked because they are having trouble keeping pace 
with the ever-expanding defense budget and combat operations in Iraq and 
Afghanistan.

In a recent report, the Defense Department inspector general estimates 
that nearly half of the military’s $316 billion weapons budget went 
unchecked last year because the IG’s office lacked the manpower. Whereas 
10 years ago when a single auditor would have reviewed some $642 million 
in defense contracts, individual investigators are now charged with 
auditing more than $2 billion in spending.

The IG also has been stretching its staff to investigate corruption and 
fraud cases overseas, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan where the military 
is hiring contractors to help run operations.

“The continual degradation of audit resources that is occurring at a time 
when the (Defense Department) budget is growing larger leaves the 
department more vulnerable to fraud, waste, and, abuse and undermines the 
department’s mission,” the report states.

“Our coverage of high-risk areas and defense priorities is weakened and 
will continue to be weakened by insufficient personnel to accomplish our 
statutory duties,” it adds.

The March assessment was obtained by the Project on Government Oversight, 
a watchdog group based in Washington.

In this year’s budget, Congress approved an additional $24 million for the 
IG office to improve contract oversight. According to the IG, it will need 
another major boost — $25 million more than President Bush requested — to 
meet its requirements in 2009.

The IG says it plans to hire some 481 new personnel in the next seven 
years, expanding to more than 1,900 full-time employees.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"People who ridicule others while hiding behind anonymous monikers in chat-
room forums are neither brave nor clever." 

- Latah County Sheriff Wayne Rausch (August 21,
2007)

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