Salon.com > Bid rigging http://www.salon.com Mon, 20 May 2013 02:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 AP Exclusive: Possible USAID bid rigging probed http://www.salon.com/2013/01/25/ap_exclusive_possible_usaid_bid_rigging_probed/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/25/ap_exclusive_possible_usaid_bid_rigging_probed/#comments Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:42:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13181608 WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is conducting an investigation into possible contract rigging by the general counsel at the government agency that distributes foreign aid, documents obtained by The Associated Press show.

Memos from the inspector general of the U.S. Agency for International Development also reveal that there was evidence that Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg tried to interfere with an internal investigation.

The inspector general's office told a House committee on Wednesday that the Justice Department investigation was "ongoing."

An attorney for the USAID general counsel, Lisa Gomer, said Thursday night that he was told the Justice Department decided not to initiate a criminal investigation. He declined to say who in the department informed him there was no probe.

The Justice Department was unable to immediately clarify whether there was an ongoing investigation. When an inspector general makes a criminal referral, the department has the option of pursuing an issue such as alleged contract fraud as either a civil or criminal case.

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