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Revolving Door

POGO Files 

Related Resources (government documents and letters)

POGO in the News


POGO Files

The Politics of Contracting
June 29, 2004

There is a revolving door between the government and large private contractors where conflict of interest is the rule, not the exception. Within the government contracting system, individuals move seamlessly between government and contractor positions, potentially subverting the contracting process. This practice is both accepted and entrenched. The Politics of Contracting details specific revolving door cases and sheds light on the flawed system that allows them.

A contracting system where current and former public servants use their positions for private gain means powerful private corporations can rig the system in their favor. This skewed process costs taxpayers, limits or eliminates competition from businesses that may be the best for the job, and results in flawed policies and bad procurement decisions. In addition, the revolving door exacerbates public distrust, which can result in the decline in civic participation and it demoralizes career civil servants to see their supervisors and co-workers use their government positions as stepping stones for private gain.


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Related Resources


McCain Raises Concerns About Former Raytheon Lobbyist’s Ability to be Effective
Senator John McCain (R-AZ), United States Senate
January 26, 2009 


House panel weighs contracting reform legislation
By Elizabeth Newell, Government Executive
February 26, 2008 


Jamming the Revolving Door
By Stuart Nibley, The Procurement Lawyer, Volume 41, No.4, Summer 2006, Permission Granted
June 1, 2006 


DOD challeges defense contractors on ethics and integrity
J. Kenneth Krieg, Department of Defense
January 2, 2006 


GAO finds misconduct tied to Druyun and recommends a new competition for Small Diameter Bomb contract
Anthony H. Gamboa, General Counsel, GAO, Government Accountability Office
February 18, 2005 


Statement of Facts Against Sears
,
February 18, 2005 


Statement filed by Michael Sears
,
February 18, 2005 


U.S. Department of Defense news release
, Department of Defense
February 14, 2005 


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POGO in the News


Chronology-US Air Force tanker saga continues, By Andrea Shalal-EsaReuters, February 24, 2010 


Defense official example of revolving door between governing, lobbying, By Drew Griffin, CNN Special Investigations CorrespondentCNN, February 23, 2010 


Defense official example of revolving door between governing, lobbying, From Drew Griffin and Scott Bronstein, CNN Special Investigations UnitCNN, February 23, 2010 


Obama nuke commission choice tells Senate he’s independent, By Ben GemanThe Hill, February 9, 2010 


Obama's exports pick tied to arms makers, By Jim McElhattonWashington Times, January 28, 2010 


Obama's Pick for Commerce Post Raises Ethical Question, FoxNews.com, January 28, 2010 


Army defends hiring of two former Bragg commanders, By Henry CunninghamFayetteville Observer (NC), December 10, 2009 


Ethics law skipped in Army mentoring hires, United Press International, December 9, 2009 


Army mentoring deals bypass ethics law, By Ken Dilanian, Tom Vanden Brook and Ray LockerUSA Today, December 7, 2009 


Rule could slow Pentagon's revolving door, By Robert BrodskyGovExec.com, November 20, 2009 


How Retired Military Officers Make Bank As Pentagon 'Mentors', By Arthur Delaney The Huffington Post, November 18, 2009 


Defense nominee won't reveal potential conflicts, By Jim ElhattonWashington Times, November 10, 2009 


Coziness between regulators and business laid bare, By Timothy CarneyThe Washington Examiner, October 30, 2009 


Nuclear regulator broke rules, says inspector general, By Steven MufsonThe Washington Post, October 29, 2009 


Bush Nuclear Regulator Contacted Potential Employers With Business Before Agency, By Zachary RothTalking Points Memo, October 29, 2009 


POGO Points To NRC Ethics Probe Into Ex-Commissioner, By George LobenzEnergy Daily, July 14, 2009 


Obama Ex-Lobbyist Pick in New Flap, By Justin RoodRood From Washington; ABC News/Online, June 11, 2009 


Several Bush officials work in areas related to former jobs, By Fredreka SchoutenUSA Today, May 20, 2009 


FEMA Chief of Staff’s Conflict of Interest, By Jason McNamaraAllGov, May 2, 2009 


100 days: half-truths and contradictions, By Joe GarofoliSan Francisco Chronicle, April 29, 2009 


Nonprofit Lobbyists Want To Work For Obama, National Journal's Under the Influence, April 9, 2009 


Nonprofit Lobbyists Want To Work For Obama, By Bara Vaida The National Journal Online, April 9, 2009 


FEMA Chief of Staff to Recuse Himself from Contracts with Former Employer, By Daniel FowlerCQ Homeland Security, April 3, 2009 


FEMA's revolving door?, By Jen DiMascio Politico, April 2, 2009 


Bush Faithful Rewarded With Jobs, By Dan EggenThe Washington Post, February 10, 2009 


The Difficulty Of Walking The Line, By Eliza Newlin CarneyNational Journal, February 9, 2009 


Ethics Groups Pounce On Gibbs' Statement, By Rob SteinHuffington Post, January 29, 2009 


McCain presses Obama's Pentagon nominee on conflicts, By Jim WolfReuters, January 28, 2009 


Watchdogs give lobbyist a pass for senior health post, By Jeffrey YoungThe Hill, January 26, 2009 


Lynn's appointment still not settled, By Jen DimascioPolitico, January 23, 2009 


Raytheon lobbyist picked for deputy Defense post, By Julian BarnesThe Los Angeles Times, January 23, 2009 


The President Orders Transparency, EditorialThe New York Times, January 23, 2009 


Blair hearing likely smooth, By Shaun WatermanUnited Press International and Washington Times, January 22, 2009 


Obama's shunning of lobbyists in his administration isn't ironclad, By Jim Drinkard & Ann FlahertyAssociated Press & The Minneapolis - St. Paul Star Tribune, January 22, 2009 


Ex-Lobbyist, Defense Official Criticized for Conflicts of Interest, Record, By Justin RoodABC News for Brian Ross, January 22, 2009 


Obama Lobbyist Rules May Bar Deputy SecDef Nominee, By William MatthewsDefense News, January 22, 2009 


Watchdogs want ex-lobbyist out, By Jen DimascioPolitico, January 22, 2009 


Obama’s ethics rules come with exceptions, By Elise Castelli Federal Times, January 22, 2009 


Gates tries to reassure US Congress on deputy pick, By Andrew Gray; and Andrea Shalal-EsaReuters News , January 22, 2009 


Committee Needs Waiver to Act on Lynn Nomination for Defense Deputy, By Josh RoginCQ Online, January 22, 2009 


POGO urges Obama to withdraw Lynn's nomination, By Alice LipowiczFederal Computer Week, January 22, 2009 


Principi prodded VA on Chantix; Ex-secretary asked if use would continue, By Audrey Hudson and Jen HaberkornThe Washington Times, July 9, 2008 


Vacant Government Jobs, With Lisa SylvesterCNN: Lou Dobbs This Week, June 26, 2008 


Defense executive running for Third District GOP nomination faces scrutiny, By Cynthia BurtonPhiladelphia Inquirer, May 13, 2008 


Bills would slow revolving door between FAA, airlines, By Gregg CarlstromFederal Times, April 15, 2008 


Ike's Warning on Military-Industrial Complex Ignored, by William HughesAmerican Chronicle, April 11, 2008 


DHS allows industry liaison to keep his business ties, By Ben BainFederal Computer Week, February 26, 2008 


Departing FAA Chief Comes Under Fire, by Alan LevinUSA Today, September 11, 2007 


FAA' s Blakey to head Aerospace Industries Association, By Daniel FreedmanFederalTimes.com, August 22, 2007 


FAA's Blakey to head Aerospace Industries Association, by Daniel FreedmanFederalTimes.com, August 22, 2007 


DHS Returns to Broader 1-Year Lobby Ban, By Dan CaterinicchiaHouston Chronicle (Associated Press), March 8, 2007 


Spy chief nominee faces echoes of past, by Ted Bridis, Associated PressUSA Today, January 31, 2007 


Shaw aims to extend worldwide reach, By Ryan HuffContra Costa Times, December 10, 2006 


Site revealing salaries could shake up Hill management, by Sheila VemmerFederal Times, October 30, 2006 


A lucrative connection, by John ChevesLexington Herald-Leader, October 22, 2006 


5 ethical missteps and how to avoid them, by Brian RobinsonFCW.com, September 4, 2006 


From brass to gold: Ex-general cashes in on corporate boards, By Scott CannonContra Costa Times, July 7, 2006 


Hookers for the Homeland?, Geraldo At Large Blog, June 19, 2006 


Former Antiterror Officials Find Industry Pays Better, by Eric LiptonThe New York Times, June 18, 2006 


Can you spell A-$-A? How about incestuous?, Posted by Max Brantley Arkansas Blog, June 17, 2006 


Back in hot water; Air Force faces inquiry in contract dispute, by Dave MontgomeryFort Worth Star-Telegram, June 14, 2006 


Back in hot water; Air Force faces inquiry in contract dispute, By Dave MontgomeryFort Worth Star-Telegram, June 14, 2006 


Air Force Probe: Brian Ross Investigates, With Brian RossABC News: World News Tonight, May 18, 2006 


Ex-attorney general turns into a lobbyist; Ashcroft begins selling his know-how, By Leslie WayneThe New York Times, March 17, 2006 


Governor's Relative Is Big Contract Winner, by Eric LiptonNew York Times, December 7, 2005 


Governor's Relative Is Big Contract Winner , By Eric LiptonThe New York Times, December 7, 2005 


What's Lincoln Group? , Govexec.com, December 1, 2005 


Cannon staffer had questionable lobby link, By Robert GehrkeThe Salt Lake Tribune, November 23, 2005 


Hands -- And Arms -- Across The Sea, Businessweek, November 14, 2005 


Transcript: CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight, Christine Romans reportsCNN Lou Dobbs Tonight, October 27, 2005 


Activists Target Lobbyists, By Tory NewmyerRoll Call, October 27, 2005 


In Power And Under Siege, By Bill MarshThe New York Times, October 23, 2005 


FEMA Leader Under Clinton Makes It Pay, By Leslie Wayne and Glen Justice; Matthew L. WaldThe New York Times, October 10, 2005 


FEMA Leader Under Clinton Profits From Experience, by Leslie Wayne and Glen JusticeNew York Times, October 10, 2005 


Katrina work goes to officials who led Iraq effort, by Adam EntousReuters, October 6, 2005 


Katrina work goes to officials who led Iraq effort, By Adam EntousReuters, October 6, 2005 


How Many More Mike Browns Are Out There?, By Karen Tumulty, Mark Thompson and Mike AllenTime Magazine, October 3, 2005 


How Many More Mike Browns Are Out There?, Sunday, Sep. 25, 2005 By Karen Tumulty, Mark Thompson, Mike Allen Time Magazine, September 25, 2005 


New Orleans Death Toll May be Lower Than Estimates; FEMA Director Resigns, Paulison Chosen as Replacement, with Lisa Sylvester, CNN CorrespondentCNN: Lou Dobbs Tonight, September 12, 2005 


Firms with White House ties get Katrina contracts,, Reuters - Associated Press, September 10, 2005 


In Storm's Ruins, a Rush to Rebuild and Reopen for Business, By John M. BroderThe New York Times, September 10, 2005 


Ex-FEMA Director's Halliburton Work Protested, by David JacksonDallas Morning News, September 8, 2005 


Pentagon's IG Takes Job at Contractor, By Griff WitteThe Washington Post, September 1, 2005 


Lockheed Puts Faith In Tough Lawyer, By Carrie Johnson and Griff WitteThe Washington Post, August 5, 2005 


An Office and a Gentleman, By Leslie WayneThe New York Times, June 19, 2005 


Senate Panel Probes Boeing-Air Force Deal, National Public Radio, June 7, 2005 


Senate Panel Approves Pentagon Spending Bill, By Renae MerleThe Washington Post, May 14, 2005 


Pentagon Probes More Air Force Contracts, By Matthew DalyAssociated Press, February 14, 2005 


Loophole Allows Inaugural Spending Binge , From WNT By Brian Ross, Rhonda Schwartz and Jill RackmillABC News, January 19, 2005 


Newsday Exclusive: Questions on Kerik's 2 roles, By Thomas MaierNewsday.com, December 11, 2004 


Lockheed and the Future of Warfare, By Tim Weiner The New York Times, November 28, 2004 


Pentagon Updates Rules on Post-Government Work: Move Follows Boeing Recruitment Scandal, By Renae MerleThe Washington Post, November 19, 2004 


Revolving Door Leads to Jail, By Laura ColarussoFederal Times, October 11, 2004 


Pentagon Brass and Military Contractors' Gold, by Leslie WayneThe New York Times, June 29, 2004 


Boeing Lax on Hiring By Rules, Review Finds, By Renae MerleThe Washington Post, March 10, 2004 


Commerce Watchdog Growls At Industry's "Revolving Door", by Niels C. SerrellsCongressional Quarterly, January 24, 2004 


Senator's Way to Wealth Was Paved With Favors, by Chuck Neubauer and Richard T. CooperThe Los Angeles Times, December 17, 2003 


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