If you have solid tips, news or documents on potential ethical violations or abuses of power, we want to know. Send us your suggestions. 
Unfortunately I believe that we are limited in what we can focus on. I think that if we proceed with the partisan sideshow of prosecuting Bush admin. officials, healthcare will get lost in the brouhaha.
The Washington Post's permanent investigative unit was set up in 1982 under Bob Woodward.
Potential Conflicts Cloud Government Procurement
In case you missed it, The Post's Robert O'Harrow Jr. reported today about some of the apparent pitfalls in allowing outside contracting "experts" help dictate government rules and policies.
For years, the Science Applications International Corp. advised the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on a project to recycle radioactive materials while simultaneously working on a related contract for the Department of Energy -- without disclosing the conflict of interest as required by law. SAIC stood to gain millions of dollars in potential revenue as a result of its work with the Energy Department and NRC, according to Justice documents.
"The case offers a rare glimpse at one of the consequences of the government's unprecedented reliance on contractors to help federal agencies: Consultants sometimes gain insider knowledge and help draft rules that could benefit their own bottom lines," O'Harrow reported.
A federal grand jury found that the San Diego-based company made dozens of false and fraudulent claims for payment related to its government work, but the SAIC is appealing the decision. Read the full story.
By Derek Kravitz |
August 18, 2008; 6:26 PM ET
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