Documents Describe U.S. Auditors' Battles With Halliburton

A government study says the company overcharged on a crucial Iraq contract and did not comply with regular reporting obligations.

By Walter F. Roche Jr., Times Staff Writer
March 29, 2006

WASHINGTON — Frustrated government auditors pleaded, cajoled and finally threatened Halliburton Co. executives who repeatedly failed to comply with government reporting requirements under a key Iraq contract with a $1.2-billion potential price tag, newly released documents show.

The documents, along with a report, were issued Tuesday by the Democratic staff of the House Committee on Government Reform. Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles) had requested the report on the contract, considered crucial to the restoration of oil production capacity in southern Iraq.