House Government Oversight Chair Alleges Misconduct by GSA Administrator

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) has asked General Services Administrator Lurita Doan for a response to claims that she exercised undue influence to help Republican candidates and to help a contractor in dispute with the GSA. Among the allegations: using the opening of courthouses to promote Republican candidates during the 2006 elections; claims that Doan enabled Sun Microsystems to win a government information technology contract at noncompetitive rates, awarding of a public relations contract to a friend without bidding and support for five businesses in a dispute with the GSA over travel reimbursements.

Time will tell whether the charges have substance or are political posturing, though the involvement of Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) on the IT contract does not bode well for Ms. Doan. Ms. Doan will testify before the House Government Oversight and Reform Commission on March 20.