Boeing contract investigation widens

Wed., Nov. 10, 2004

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Tuesday it has asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate a wide range of Air Force contracts tainted by Darleen Druyun, a former senior Air Force official who admitted giving special treatment to Boeing Co.

The review will include all contracts handled by Druyun during nearly a decade as a top acquisition official, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Michael Wynne, the Pentagon’s acting undersecretary for acquisition, told reporters that the GAO — the watchdog arm of Congress — would take over protests filed by Lockheed Martin Corp., BAE Systems PLC and L-3 Communications Holdings Inc.

The Pentagon also is launching two new task forces to investigate Druyun’s dealings since 1992 and examine Defense Department practices to determine whether internal policies can prevent future abuses, said Glenn Flood, a Pentagon spokesman.

Druyun was sentenced to nine months in prison last month for discussing a job with Boeing while overseeing a $23 billion lease-purchase deal for Boeing to supply the Air Force with refueling tankers. The deal has since been nullified.

Druyun also has admitted providing assistance to Boeing on other contracts, including a $4 billion contract to provide upgrades to the Air Force’s C-130 transport fleet.

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Boeing contract investigation widens

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