Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Quarterly Report to the United States Congress
Abstract
The next six months will see a substantial reduction in the size of the U.S. military presence in Iraq, a continuing reorganization of the U.S. Embassy's reconstruction management, and the election of a new Iraqi parliament. Among other things, this Quarterly Report--SIGIR's 23rd--analyzes three key issues that will shape the continuing U.S. effort in Iraq: the transfer of police training from the Department of Defense to the Department of State; and the management and oversight of the billions in remaining U.S. reconstruction funds; the changing U.S. presence in the provinces. A new SIGIR audit also explores policy issues related to the management of Iraqi funds by the U.S. government. To date, SIGIR has identified $27.5 million in Iraqi funds for return or potential return to the Government of Iraq: $13 million was returned in March 2009 to Prime Minister al-Maliki, and this quarter we identified $14.4 million more that may further be available for return. We plan to soon initiate further work to examine expired U.S. appropriated funds. Another SIGIR audit issued this quarter uncovered $4.1 million in potential overbillings by a U.S. contractor charged with improving the Iraqi Army?Army'sxxxx logistical infrastructure. The overbillings included charging $196.50 for a package of 10 washers; under the terms of the contract, the package should have cost $1.22. SIGIR also issued an initial report on its ongoing, statutorily mandated forensic review of all U.S. taxpayer funds appropriated for the reconstruction of Iraq. The forensic audit initiative already has identified hundreds of suspicious transactions, leading to the opening of six investigations involving 15 subjects. SIGIR regularly collaborates with Government of Iraq oversight agencies, especially the Board of Supreme Audit (BSA).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 30, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA509061
Entities
Organizations
- Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction