WASHINGTON (KFGO) – The Pentagon’s Inspector General has agreed to an audit of a multi-million dollar border wall contract awarded to Fisher Sand & Gravel of Dickinson.
Last week, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee asked for the review. Democratic Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson claimed Fisher previously had not been awarded a contract because the company did not meet the requirements of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Principal Deputy Inspector General Glenn Fine told Thompson “you raised concerns about the possibility of inappropriate influence. We have decided to initiate an audit of the solicitation and award of this contract.”
Thompson said President Trump “personally and repeatedly urged USACE to award construction contracts to Fisher Sand and Gravel Co.” He said the actions “raise concerns about the possibility of inappropriate influence on USACE’s contracting decision.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer, who advocated on behalf of Fisher said “I recently concluded my own investigation of the Army Corps’ contracting process and can confidently say they have not done any favors for Fisher Industries. I do not believe this current review will change anything.”
The $400 million contract calls for Fisher to build about 31 miles along the border near Yuma, Arizona.