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Phillip Swarts

pswarts@washingtontimes.com

Phillip Swarts was an investigative reporter for The Washington Times.

Articles by Phillip Swarts

Rep. Darrell Issa, California Republican, says the FDA's surveillance mirrored the book, "1984." (Associated Press)

Investigator: FDA tracked employees online

The Food and Drug Administration monitored employees' activities online without ever considering the legality of the surveillance, a federal investigator said Wednesday.

February 26, 2014
The most egregious examples of government waste, fraud or abuse.

Golden Hammer: Too much tech on fed dime, GAO finds

At a time when computers and access to the Web are ubiquitous, an outdated Commerce Department office is wasting taxpayer money by duplicating Internet search engines, fiscal watchdogs said.

February 20, 2014

Harder to assess Afghanistan’s local forces once U.S. troops leave, report says

Fewer U.S. troops in Afghanistan means it will be harder for military leaders to assess the readiness of local security forces; and the Pentagon currently has no plan on how to address the difficulties it might face in making sure Afghan forces are prepared before international troops leave, a new report found.

February 5, 2014
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, before the House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on the effects the government shutdown is having on benefits and services to veterans. About 3.8 million veterans will not receive disability compensation next month if the partial government shutdown continues into late October, Shinseki told lawmakers Wednesday. Some 315,000 veterans and 202,000 surviving spouses and dependents will see pension payments stopped. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

VA lacks control over own data, leaks could occur: audit

While the VA has been working to improve its computer systems, it still has large problems that "could jeopardize the data integrity and confidentiality of VA's financial and sensitive information," said an annual audit of the agency's internal finances from an independent auditor working with the department's Inspector General.

February 3, 2014

VA hospital lax on surgery deaths: report

Key officials at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Kentucky never met to review patient records over what was behind an unusual number of deaths during surgery in the first half of 2013, federal investigators said.

February 3, 2014
Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks during a press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014. Karzai said he will not sign a security pact with the United States unless Washington and Pakistan launch a peace process with Taliban insurgents. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)

Contractor paid despite shoddy work at Afghan hospital

A contractor building a U.S.-financed hospital in Afghanistan was paid nearly $600,000 despite the fact the facility had no clean water, little medical equipment and only enough electricity to power three lightbulbs, an investigation found.

January 29, 2014