A leading U.S. newspaper reports a key U.S. Army official has cleared the Halliburton Company of allegations it overcharged the U.S. Government more than $100 million for fuel delivered in Iraq.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Halliburton convinced the head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the prices charged were reasonable.
Pentagon auditors had accused Halliburton of overcharging and shoddy bookkeeping, sparking criticism of the Bush Administration because Vice President Dick Cheney once headed Halliburton.
The auditors said in early December that a Halliburton subsidiary had picked a gasoline supplier who was charging twice the price asked by other gasoline companies in the region.
Members of Congress have said they might hold hearings on the Bush Administration's oversight of Halliburton's activities in Iraq.
Halliburton officials have denied breaking any rules.