Contractors fume over slow FEMA checks

[babylonsister]

Can they get any more incompetent?

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/07/18/contractors_fume_over_slow_fema_checks/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+News+%2F+Nation

Contractors fume over slow FEMA checks


By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press Writer | July 18, 2007

NEW ORLEANS --Contractors hired to clean up after Hurricane Katrina are fuming over delays in getting paid by FEMA, and some politicians fear the red tape will discourage companies from bidding on the big rebuilding projects that lie ahead for New Orleans.

One company claims it is owed about $150 million, and some contractors have walked off the job or gone to court to get the money they say they should have been paid for demolition and debris removal completed as much as a year and a half ago.

"You better hope another storm doesn't hit you. You guys will be under water for six months," said Zach Johnson, a Kansas City, Mo.-area contractor who is suing for about $1.7 million for tree-clearing in 2005. "Everybody got a bad taste in their mouth from Louisiana."

Johnson called the whole situation "messed-up, frustrating, depressing" and said he will not pursue any more cleanup and recovery jobs in Louisiana.

"Oh, hell no. Nooo," he said. "I won't be back."

more...

[uppityperson]

1. k&r for "let's not check so we can't be liable"

[Neecy]

2. gee...

I'll bet that Halliburton gets paid promptly.