Skip to Page Content
Exposing Corruption : Exploring Solutions
POGO is an independent nonprofit that investigates and exposes corruption and other misconduct in order to achieve a more effective, accountable, open, and ethical federal government.
Sign up for POGO email updates!
Toolkit
POGO Files
Related Resources (government documents and letters)
POGO in the News
Podcast: Fun with Inherently Governmental Functions June 24, 2010
Security Planning and Management in Combat Zones Should Not Be Left To Contractors June 18, 2010
Testimony of Danielle Brian before the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan Regarding Private Security Contractors June 18, 2010
POGO Advocates for Additional Protections When Considering Work Performed by Government or Contractor Employees June 1, 2010
Administration Takes Careful Look at Work Performed by Government and Private Sector Employees March 31, 2010
POGO Releases Previously Unreleased State Department IG Audit: Shortcomings in State’s Oversight of Baghdad Embassy Security Force March 26, 2010
Contractor conflict of interest rule needs improvement January 12, 2010
National Transportation Program Benefits Contractor at the Expense of the Traveling Public, USDOT IG Finds December 14, 2009
POGO echoes today’s bipartisan request for a presidential review of SIGAR December 9, 2009
Leaked email says ArmorGroup out as Kabul Embassy security contractor December 8, 2009
Do Private Contractors Serve The Public Interest? October 13, 2009
POGO Supports Whistleblower Review September 17, 2009
Testimony of Danielle Brian before the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan September 14, 2009
POGO Statement on ArmorGroup Whistleblower Lawsuit Filed Today: State Department Accountability Remains Key Management Issue September 10, 2009
POGO Statement on Kabul Embassy Guard Firings September 4, 2009
Retaliation: Whistleblower Allegedly Forced Out After Helping To Expose Guard Scandal At U.S. Embassy Kabul September 3, 2009
Failed Oversight and Management of Security Contract at U.S Embassy in Afghanistan September 1, 2009
POGO Letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding U.S. Embassy in Kabul September 1, 2009
POGO Releases Contract of Contractor Hired to Investigate Contractors: What's Wrong with This Picture? October 10, 2008
U.S.-Iraq Deal on Contractor Immunity Goes Fourth July 3, 2008
Senator Proposes Solutions to Contracting Fraud June 25, 2008
Seven Years Later: The Jury Is Still Out on Outsourcing April 25, 2008
Air Force Wants Contractors to Write Its Strategy March 28, 2008
GSA Hired CACI to Process Suspension and Debarment Cases February 5, 2007
POGO comments on a government attempt to restrict outsourcing jobs associated with purchasing goods and services May 23, 2005
POGO's letter to NRC Chairman Diaz criticizing nuclear industry lobbyists' improper influence over critical homeland security tests June 30, 2004
POGO Letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on briefing attended by POGO Executive Director Danielle Brian January 17, 2003
Written Testimony of POGO's Danielle Brian before the House Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Affairs June 11, 2001
Top
Transportation Technology Innovation and Demonstration Program (TTID)Joseph W. Come, Assistant Inspector General for Surface and Maritime Program Audits, Federal Highway Administration, Report # MH-2010-030December 8, 2009
Senators McCaskill, Collins, and Bennett's letter to Department of State regarding the allegations of whistleblower retaliation , Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Senator Susan Collins, Senator Robert Bennett September 16, 2009
McCaskill Questions Chairman of the Joint Chiefs on Contracting in Afghanistan , Press Office of Senator Claire McCaskillSeptember 15, 2009
Testimony of Terry Pearson , Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and AfghanistanSeptember 14, 2009
C-Span Video: Commission on Wartime Contracting Hearing on State Dept. Hiring Practices, C-Span (follow the video links to watch the 3 sessions of witnesses)September 14, 2009
McCaskill Statement On Wartime Contracting Commission Hearing On Kabul Embassy Contract , Press Office of Senator Claire McCaskillSeptember 14, 2009
U.S. Department of State Response to POGO's September 1, 2009 letter regarding the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, U.S. Department of StateSeptember 8, 2009
Wartime Contracting to probe State Department oversight and contractor-employee conduct , Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and AfghanistanSeptember 4, 2009
U.S. Embassy Statement on Local Guard Force, United States Embassy in Kabul, AfghanistanSeptember 4, 2009
State Department Daily Press Briefing Transcript, State Department Press Secretary Ian KellySeptember 2, 2009
State Department Daily Press Briefing Video, State Department Press Secretary Ian KellySeptember 2, 2009
State Department Daily Press Briefing Transcript, State Department with Ian Kelly, Department SpokesmanSeptember 1, 2009
State Department Daily Press Briefing Video, State Department with Ian Kelly, Department SpokesmanSeptember 1, 2009
Senator Claire McCaskill's letter to Dept. of State, Under Secretary for Management, Patrick Kennedy regarding the contractor employees performing guard security at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, AfghanistanSenator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsSeptember 1, 2009
Contracting: Additional Personal Conflict of Interest Safeguards Needed for Certain DoD Contractor Employees, Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report # GAO-08-169March 1, 2008
Inherent or Non-Inherent: That is the Question, By David Isenberg, The Huffington Post, July 6, 2010
Defining 'inherently governmental' and role of contractors in U.S. war fight, By Joe Davidson, The Washington Post, June 22, 2010
Guard work defies easy labels, By Robert Brodsky, Government Executive, June 18, 2010
More jobs shift to feds under proposed guidance, By Gregg Carlstrom, Federal Times, April 4, 2010
Administration puts its stamp on 'inherently governmental', By Robert Brodsky, Government Executive, March 31, 2010
Surprise! Another War-Zone Embassy Poorly Guarded by Contractors, By Spencer Ackerman, The Washington Independent, March 26, 2010
Federal Diary: Federalizing security contractors might make our country safer, By Joe Davidson, Washington Post, January 29, 2010
GAO's Former Top Lawyer Grabs the Ax as Contract Chief, By Jenna Greene, The National Law Journal; Law.com, January 5, 2010
U.S. System for Tracking Traffic Flow Is Faulted, By Eric Lipton, The New York Times, December 13, 2009
Going Naked in Kabul, By Gail Collins, Opinion Piece, New York Times, December 11, 2009
Contractors Watching Contractors, By Jeremy Scahill, The Nation, December 10, 2009
Race to the Bottom , By Robert Brodsky, Government Executive Magazine, December 9, 2009
Lawmakers slam office overseeing Afghan rebuilding, By Richard Lardner, Associated Press; GovExec.com, December 9, 2009
State Department drops contractor involved in Embassy Kabul scandal, By Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy: The Cable, December 8, 2009
U.S. Seeks New Guards in Kabul, By August Cole, Wall Street Journal On-line, December 8, 2009
Company losing security contract for Kabul embassy, By Richard Lardner, Associated Press; ABC News, December 8, 2009
ArmorGroup Loses Kabul Embassy Contract, By Daniel Schulman, Mother Jones, December 8, 2009
State fires embattled security contractor, By Elise Castelli, Federal Times, December 8, 2009
Controversial security firm loses Kabul contract, By Ed O’Keefe, The Washington Post; Federal Eye, December 8, 2009
POGO: ArmorGroup loses Kabul embassy contract, By Laura Rozen, Politico, December 8, 2009
Were ArmorGroup Allegations Quashed? State Department Inspector Gen.'s Office "Lost" Complaint against Troubled Security Co., By Sharyl Attkisson, CBS News, September 29, 2009
Podcast: POGO's Danielle Brian, , Private Military Herald podcast; PMH Radio, September 20, 2009
The business of war and profit: Aren’t we proud?, By Kelley Vlahos, The American Conservative Magazine, September 17, 2009
Not Just Whistling Dixie with Guest Terry Pearson, former U.S. contractor, With Rachel Maddow, The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, September 14, 2009
Official Says Contractor in Kabul May Be Ousted, By Ginger Thompson, The New York Times, September 14, 2009
State Department contracting scandal: Kennedy on the hotseat, By Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy, September 14, 2009
State urged to cancel Kabul embassy security contract, By Elizabeth Newell, Government Executive Magazine, September 14, 2009
Embassy Scandal: A New Abu Ghraib?, By Dan Schulman, Mother Jones, September 14, 2009
POGO Blasts State Department Over ArmorGroup Oversight Before Wartime Contracting Commission, By Spencer Ackerman, Washington Independent, September 14, 2009
Official: Kabul Embassy Hazing Covered Up, By Sharyl Attkisson, CBS News Online, September 14, 2009
State Department's Oversight of Security Contractors Is Scrutinized, By Mary Beth Sheridan, The Washington Post, September 13, 2009
Company Kept Kabul Security Contract Despite Record, By Ginger Thompson and Mark Landler, The New York Times, September 12, 2009
Afghan Embassy Scandal's Link to Cost-Cutting Security, By Ken Steir, TIME Magazine, September 11, 2009
Whistleblower sues Afghanistan security contractor, By Charley Keyes, CNN, September 11, 2009
Ex-Manager: More Excesses By U.S. Embassy Guards, By Michele Keleman, National Public Radio, September 11, 2009
Embassy contractor faces new charges, By Jen DiMascio, Politico, September 10, 2009
Ex-managers: security firm cut corners at embassy, By RIichard Lardner, The Examiner; Associated Press, September 10, 2009
POGO Reacts to ArmorGroup Whistleblower Lawsuit, By Spencer Ackerman, The Washington Independent Online, September 10, 2009
2 Say They Reported Abuses at Embassy , By Ginger Thompson with Mark Landler, The New York Times, September 10, 2009
Systemic Problems Found With State Department Contract With Kabul Embassy Security, By Spencer Ackerman, Washington Independent Online, September 4, 2009
Naked Pool Parties, Alleged Sex Acts at Kabul U.S. Embassy Force Out 10 Guards, By Megan Chuchmach and Nick Schifrin, ABC News The Blotter With Brian Ross, September 4, 2009
Concerned Foreign Service Officers: Photos Are An 'Ugly Manifestation' of State Department Contractor Culture, By Spencer Ackerman, The Washington Independent, September 3, 2009
Contractor to Continue Work in Iraq Temporarily, By Mark Landler, New York Times, September 2, 2009
First Person: 'Lewd Behavior' At U.S. Embassy, , Associated Press via YouTube, September 2, 2009
Life During Wartime: U.S. Embassy contractors gone wild?, , The Rachel Maddow Show, MSNBC, September 2, 2009
Contractors Outnumber U.S. Troops In Afghanistan, by Kevin Whitelaw, NPR - National Public Radio, September 2, 2009
Contractors in Kabul accused of 'lewd and deviant behavior', By Gordon Lubold , Christian Science Monitor, September 2, 2009
'Deviant hazing' alleged at U.S. Embassy in Kabul, , CNN.com/Asia, September 2, 2009
Afghan U.S. Embassy patrol in 'deviant' parties with booze, hookers - report, By Richard Sisk , New York Daily News, September 2, 2009
Guards Gone Wild in Kabul, With Sharyl Attkisson, CBS News, September 1, 2009
'Lord of the Flies' in Kabul, By Jen Dimascio, Politico, September 1, 2009
Group: US Embassy Guards in Kabul Are Mistreated , , Associated Press; The New York Times, September 1, 2009
Watchdog questions security at U.S. Embassy in Kabul, By David Alexander, Reuters, September 1, 2009
Oversight Group Reports Security Flaws at U.S. Embassy in Kabul, , FoxNews Blog, September 1, 2009
POGO investigates abuses at U.S. Embassy in Kabul, By Frank Munger, Knoxnews.com, September 1, 2009
U.S. Embassy Guards Accused of Misconduct in Afghanistan, By Ann Scott Tyson, The Washington Post, September 1, 2009
Clinton told of security failings in Afghanistan, By Richard Lardner, Associated Press; Houston Chronicle, September 1, 2009
Allegations of misconduct by the private security company guarding the U.S. Embassy compound in Kabul, With Margaret Warner, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer (audio) Video is available here http://video.pbs.org/video/1236177496 (scroll until there's 27:57 left) , September 1, 2009
Watchdog group alleges misbehavior by State Dept. security contractors, By Elise Castelli, Federal Times, September 1, 2009
Watchdog Group: US Embassy Security in Kabul RiskySecurity Guards Overworked, Sleep-Deprived and Subject To Humiliating Hazing, Including Being Urinated On, Watchdog Says, , CBSNews, Online, September 1, 2009
Kabul Embassy Report, With Jill Dougherty, CNN, September 1, 2009
Animal House in Afghanistan, By Daniel Schulman, Mother Jones, September 1, 2009
Blackwater tapped foreigners on secret CIA program, By Adam Goldman and Pamela Hess, Associated Press; ABC News, August 31, 2009
U.S. Still Using Security Firm It Broke With, By Mark Landler and Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, August 21, 2009
Napolitano must define inherently government work, find people to do it, By Alice Lipowicz, Federal Computer Week, July 2, 2009
DHS scrutiny of services contracts draws flak, By Alice Lipowicz, Washington Technology, June 10, 2009
DHS review of service contract draws fire, By Alice Lipowicz, Federal Computer Week, June 5, 2009
Government by Contractor Is a Disgrace, By Thomas Frank, Wall Street Journal, November 26, 2008
Obama To Tackle Explosion In Federal Contracts, By Daniel Zwerdling, National Public Radio, November 24, 2008
Dogs of War: Who watches the watchers?, By David Isenberg, United Press International, October 17, 2008
Critics allege State broke acquisition rules in Baghdad contract, By Robert Brodsky, Government Executive, October 14, 2008
Outsourcing The Fight, By P.W. Singer, Forbes.com, June 6, 2008
Increasing reliance on private contractors in Iraq raises questions, By Lauren Gregory, Chattanooga Times Free Press, May 2, 2008
Security Progress in Baghdad Draws Entrepreneurs, , NPR: Morning Edition, May 1, 2008
Investigators: Millions in Iraq contracts never finished, , Trend News Agency (Azerbaijan), April 28, 2008
In Washington, Contractors Take On Biggest Role Ever, by Scott Shane and Ron Nixon, New York Times, February 4, 2007
Battle on Border Turns Deadly, With Joe Johns, CNN: Anderson Cooper 360°, May 18, 2006
Security for Sale, By Sarah Posner, The American Prospect, January 5, 2006
Careerists make best managers--Study: They get better results than political appointees, , Federal Times, October 10, 2005
Army Turns to Private Guards, T. Christian Miller, Los Angeles Times, August 12, 2004
Critics See No Savings from Military Outsourcing, with Laura Sydell, National Public Radio, June 3, 2004
Private Company to Oversee Database on Public Contracts, , Los Angeles Times, January 1, 2004