More FTS spending problems found

A preliminary report suggests officials in at least two other General Services Administration regions misused funds or allowed other contracting improprieties similar to those previously reported in the Pacific Northwest.

The report, from GSA's inspector general, concerns Federal Technology Service (FTS) Regional Client Support Centers in regions 10, six and four. Officials at the Region 10 center, which covers the Pacific Northwest, were earlier found to have misused $37 million in information technology funds to pay for construction work, among other misuses.

Region Four covers the Southeast, and Region Six the Midwest.

FTS is reviewing the inspector general's report.

"The report in general supports previous concerns developed both by GSA managers and associates," said an FTS spokesperson, without discussing any details. The service's commissioner, Sandra Bates, in a conference call in late September, had confirmed that the report would show abuses similar to those already revealed.

To reduce the chances of improprieties recurring, FTS officials say they are implementing controls, including developing and implementing action plans at both the national and regional levels, and reviewing existing policies to make sure they are extensive enough. The changes will also include new and augmented training programs, officials said.