In an interview with Reuters, Bowen said, “Aside from questions raised about hotel costs and the purchase of trucks, a broad audit [will] soon begin focusing on costs for services KBR provided to the CPA.”

“I think the danger [in Iraq] drives security costs but not for everything else. Their security costs are high because of the danger and that is to be expected, but tying the loss of life to costs is inappropriate,” Bowen told Reuters.

KBR’s work in Iraq has come under close scrutiny by Pentagon auditors recently following allegations the Halliburton unit overcharged on fuel shipped into Iraq as well as military supply contracts.

Halliburton spokeswoman Wendy Hall said, “Cost of security is a part of every dollar spent in Iraq whether it is for vehicles, shelter or equipment. Safety for our employees is KBR’s top concern especially now as we have had kidnappings, gunfire, and insurgent attacks on our people.”