NEWS

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Summary of AP & Reuters Articles) - The Pentagon's Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) said today it recommended to the Department of Defense that it refuse to pay $159.5 million in meal charges submitted by Halliburton's KBR subsidiary, formerly known as Kellogg, Brown & Root. The DCAA said the subsidiary charged the government for thousands of meals in and around Iraq that were never served to the troops. The DCAA continues to audit bills submitted by KBR for feeding soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait. The agency recommended suspension of paying bills to Halliburton after finding incomplete files and bills were submitted by subcontractors of KBR. Auditors said Halliburton maintained inadequate methods to oversee the spending and work of its subcontractors. Halliburton had previously suspended $141 million and $35.8 million from dining room billings after suspicious bills were sent to the government.