Waste Said Rampant in 9/11 Aid Program

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - Emergency officials didn't do enough to prevent waste and abuse in a program that provided free air conditioners to thousands of New Yorkers after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the government said Monday.



The investigation by the Homeland Security Department's Office of Inspector General was requested last year after The Associated Press reported widespread problems with the $100 million fund to help New York residents breathe clean air after the 2001 attacks.

~snip~

The inspector general found those claims were "probably overstated," and the real number was closer to 62 percent. The abuses were due partly to a lack of safeguards in the program and unscrupulous businesses that quickly seized on the opportunity to make illicit money from the government's generosity, probers concluded.


"FEMA and state officials took several actions ... that, while consistent with FEMA regulations, reduced managerial controls and increased the risk of abuse," the report found.


When the program's costs ballooned from $15 million to $100 million, FEMA official Brad Gair complained of the supposed 90 percent abuse rate.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&ncid=693&e=7&u=/ap/20041101/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/attacks_air_conditioners

Just some more mismanagement, brought to you by bush&co.

[Ima]

1. first I heard of any of this

[Joy Anne]

2. FEMA

A "constituent" of mine here in Pennsylvania hasn't gotten promised FEMA aid for flood damage. She says a hurricane-damaged friend of hers in Florida also hasn't received promised FEMA help and the rumor in Florida is that FEMA is broke, which will be announced after the election.

[aquart]

3. Air conditioners, my ass.

I had to shut off my air conditioner because the smell of the burning was pouring thru it. I saw some signs for air filters, but it was all garbage and I don't know anyone who got any of it. Maybe Battery Park got them, they were closest.