WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s internal watchdog is investigating a government public relations effort that relied on retired military officers to defend the administration’s Iraq war policies.
The House this past week passed an amendment to a defense authorization bill calling for reviews by both the inspector general’s office and the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ investigative arm.
The Pentagon suspended the program last month after The New York Times reported that retired officers who acted as military analysts for major news outlets were given plum access to the Pentagon.
A Defense spokesman, Lt. Col. Brian Maka, said Saturday the inspector general’s review will look at whether special access to Pentagon leaders “may have given the contractors a competitive advantage.”
