Report: HUD lacks control over computer purchases

The General Accounting Office issued a letter on Friday to the Senate Appropriations Committee stating that the Housing and Urban Development Department has in almost all regards failed to maintain accountability over its computer equipment and so has jeopardized fundamental internal control activities.

The findings, based on GAO's review of the department from 2001 to 2003, also accused HUD of failing to consistently record computer purchases in its asset management system, reconcile its records, or perform regular physical inventories.

The letter, addressed to Rep. Christopher Bond, chairman of the subcommittee overseeing HUD, makes several recommendations to ensure that HUD better protects and accounts for its computer equipment.