U.S. Air Force-Boeing Deals Probe Widens

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon said Tuesday it has asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate a wide range of Air Force contracts that involved Darleen Druyun, a former senior official who has admitted giving special treatment to Boeing Co.

The review will include all contracts handled by Druyun during nearly a decade as a top acquisition official of the Air Force, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Michael Wynne, the Pentagon's acting undersecretary for acquisition, told reporters that the GAO, Congress's investigative arm, would take over protests filed by Lockheed Martin Corp., BAE Systems PLC and L-3 Communications Holdings Inc.

The Defense Department also has appointed two new task forces to investigate Druyun's dealings since 1992 and to examine current military procedures to determine whether internal policies can prevent future abuses, said Glenn Flood, a Pentagon spokesman.

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