What Happened
Defense Department Deals Raise Questions Over Ethics and Transparency
The Pentagon has awarded nearly $350 million in contracts to Alvarez & Marsal, a firm closely tied to a senior Defense Department official, George K. Kollitides II. The deals were signed through an unusual contracting method, which has raised questions about ethics and transparency. Kollitides, who was still working with Alvarez & Marsal Capital when the contracts were awarded, has been a key figure in the Pentagon’s efforts to improve procurement practices. The contracts have been shrouded in secrecy, with the Pentagon providing little information about the work being done or the services being provided. This story was originally reported by ProPublica.