Comptroller General David Walker gave permission to the Architect of the Capitol last week to pay for contracted work on the Capitol’s West Refrigeration Plant that had not been authorized. [IMGCAP(1)]

In three instances in 2004 and early 2005, an AOC employee, without the authority to do so, directed Hitt Contracting to undertake work related to the expansion of the refrigeration plant.

AOC officials suspended that work after learning the directive had not been authorized, but then determined the project was necessary and funds were, in fact, available. Therefore, AOC Alan Hantman wrote to Walker asking for permission to complete the project.

Despite the unauthorized commitment, Walker allowed the project to continue. “The Architect of the Capitol’s actions subsequent to learning of the unauthorized commitment constitutes a valid ratification,” reads the Government Accountability Office report.
— David Meyers