Friday, May 19, 2006

Scandals and cronyism now engulfing the Air Force

I found this off Shakespeare's Sister, so I had to go to the original Reuters source:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force's highest-ranking officer and his predecessor are the subjects of an FBI investigation into the handling of a $49.9 million dollar contract for the Thunderbirds, an air demonstration squadron, ABC News reported on Thursday.

The network quoted law enforcement officials as saying the Federal Bureau of Investigation was investigating allegations that Gen. Michael Moseley and Gen. John Jumper helped to steer a Thunderbird contract to a friend, retired Air Force Gen. Hal Hornburg.

The Air Force, responding to the report, said Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne had referred a protest involving the contract to the Defense Department's chief internal inspector.

"Unfortunately, because of the ongoing litigation and investigation it is inappropriate to address specifics concerning the issue," an Air Force statement said.

ABC said Hornburg, whose command included the Thunderbirds, became a partner in the company that won the contract six months after he retired from the military.

The FBI investigation began after complaints from Air Force insiders and a rival company whose bid was for half the amount, the network said.

Yes, our tax dollars at work defending our country against all enemies--foreign and domestic!

Do you still feel safe now?

No comments: