An accounting firm that won $6.6 million in work from the Office of Special Trustee says its close relationship with senior officials didn't affect the contracting process.

Executives from Chavarria, Dunne & Lamey of New Mexico frequently socialized with top OST officials. The firm's contract kept getting extended without opening it to competition, the Interior Department's Inspector General said in a report.

"We believe that OST management has acted appropriately and that the concern of 'an appearance of preferential treatment' for CD&L is subjective and unsubstantiated," the firm said in a statement provided to the Associated Press.

Special Trustee Ross Swimmer ordered Donna Erwin and brothers Doug and Jeff Lords to undergo ethics training. The report said they failed to keep at "arms length" from the firm.

Get the Story:
Investigation Cites Indian Trust Officials (AP 7/26)
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Inspector General Report:
Allegations Concerning Senior Officials of the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Office of Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Chavarria, Dunne & Lamey - http://www.cdlcpas.com

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