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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 12, 200612:37 PM
CONTACT: Project On Government Oversight
Scott Amey scott@pogo.org or
Beth Daley beth@pogo.org at (202) 347-1122

Investigations into Katrina Waste and Fraud Detailed

WASHINGTON - January 12 - A new report sheds light on efforts of Inspector Generals to oversee spending for major hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. The report, which was first reported on by the Associated Press yesterday (see recent version of article below) is here: http://www.pogo.org/m/cp/cp-OIG-12302005.pdf

Titled the "90-Day Progress Report to Congress," the 141-page report details the actions of 21 federal agencies that are overseeing taxpayer dollars and programs awarded after hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma ravaged the U.S. coastline from Florida to Texas. More than 4,700 contracts have been awarded, totaling more than $8.1 billion of the $62.3 billion approved by Congress and the President.
The report provides a listing of all final, ongoing, and planned audits and investigations that have been conducted by Homeland Security, Defense, Energy, and Labor among other federal agencies.

Up to this point, the President's Council has released data listing oversight staff, total contracts, total contract awards, government credit card spending, arrests, indictments, and convictions
(see http://www.ignet.gov/pande/hsr/121605katrinarpt.pdf).

"Some of the audit findings confirm our worst fears -- agencies were ill-prepared to meet the country's contracting needs," said Scott Amey, General Counsel of POGO. "These audits ensure that contractors did not exploit mistakes that may have been made in the chaotic rush following the hurricanes."

read on...