Whistleblower Greenhouse alleged the US Army gave KBR “preferential treatment” when granting US$7 billion in Iraqi oil field restoration contracts.

According to Greenhouse, in a letter to acting Army Secretary Les Brownlee, “Army officials did not justify the award or show that KBR had unique attributes, as required by procurement law.” Greenhouse also accused the Army of allowing KBR to sit in on meetings “outside the scope of information KBR should be privy to” before the contract was awarded.

While Greenhouse has not made any comment, in an interview with the Washington Post, her lawyer Stephen Kohn said, “Federal investigators are also interested in discussing with my client on earlier contracts KBR had with the Army to provide logistical support in the Balkans.”

“Our concern is that Ms. Greenhouse not be retaliated against, which is what happens to most whistle-blowers. It has not been easy for her,” added Kohn.

Understandably, Halliburton is not pleased and has labelled Greenhouse’s allegations as “politically motivated”.

“The old allegations by Bunny Greenhouse have once again been recycled, this time one week before the election. The Government Accountability Office concluded that the oil-field-restoration contract was properly awarded [and] the Army later put the contract up for bids, and KBR was one of two contractors to win,” said company spokesperson Wendy Hall.

“The company has disclosed in public filings that the Justice Department is investigating what it charged for fuel. We continue to work with all of the investigating bodies to resolve issues related to fuel delivery in Iraq,” she added.