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Inspector General investigates eight Air Force contracts

By Staff Sgt. C. Todd Lopez

WASHINGTON (Feb. 15, 2005) -- Eight Air Force defense contracts not previously identified for in-depth review have been referred to the Department of Defense inspector general for investigation.

The referral resulted from a review by Defense Contract Management Agency officials of 407 contracts under the control of or influenced by former Air Force acquisition official Darleen Druyun. She previously pleaded guilty to violating laws affecting personal and financial interests related to job negotiations with the Boeing Co. while a government employee. Ms. Druyun was sentenced to nine months in federal prison in November. The criminal case raised alarms about her involvement in numerous Air Force contracts.

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Air Force and DOD acquisition officials were concerned that contracts that fell under Ms. Druyun's influence might have been tainted. As a result, they asked the contract management agency to examine all Air Force acquisition actions executed or influenced by Ms. Druyun during her tenure from 1993 to 2002. The agency review identified eight contracts with suspicious anomalies, besides seven others already being investigated by Defense Department inspector general at Air Force and DOD request. Air Force officials said they are cooperating with DOD officials to ensure the eight additional contracts, worth more than $3 billion, are further investigated for any wrongdoing or improper influence by Ms. Druyun.

"The Air Force will continue to work closely with the organizations reviewing and investigating Ms. Druyun's contracting actions while she was the principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition," said Shirley Curry, an Air Force spokeswoman. "We were outraged by her illegal actions and will work diligently to support the resolution of these issues."

The contracts, awarded between 1998 and 2002, cover Air Force operations and support missions on land, in air and in space. They include the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System -- Conical Microwave Imager Sensor; C-5 Galaxy Avionics Modernization Program; the Financial Information Resource System; C-22 Replacement Program; 60K Tunner Program Contractor Logistics; KC-135 Stratotanker Programmed Depot Maintenance; F-16 Fighting Falcon Mission Training Center; and the C-40 Lease and Purchase Program.

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