A three person team investigating cover ups inside the Defense Department has found that at least half of whistleblower allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse had been improperly handled and that the “Defense Department has inadequately protected from reprisals whistleblowers who have reported wrongdoing,” reported the Center for Public Integrity yesterday. According to the story by Center writers R. Jeffrey Smith and Aaron Mehta,the report —

“accuses the officials, who work in the Defense Department’s Office of Inspector General, of persistent sloppiness and a systematic disregard for Pentagon rules meant to protect those who report fraud, abuses and the waste of taxpayer funds, according to a previously undisclosed copy.”

Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) was apparently furious after reading the report. The Center for Public Integrity quotes Sen. Grassley in an April 24 letter to acting inspector general Lynne M. Halbrooks, insisting that “Heads must roll” and admonishing that the “problems identified in the report must be addressed and resolved immediately.”

To report defense contracting fraud, contact Frohsin & Barger.