U.S. Customs and Border Protection wasted millions of dollars, violated federal laws and ignored its own rules in spending nearly $17 million to build housing in Ajo for its employees, according to an audit by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, as reported by The Arizona Republic.
In a small former mining town where the average house costs $86,500, The CBP spent nearly seven times that — $680,000 per house — to build 21 two- and three-bedroom houses in 2012.
The CBP also spent about $2.4 million to buy 20 mobile homes that have mostly stood empty, a report by the inspector general found.
The Arizona Republic first reported on the overpriced housing in 2013, following up on a tip from a local reader. The audit by the inspector general confirmed the issues raised in that reporting.
In their response, CBP officials disputed the inspector general’s cost calculations. However, CBP officials said they have taken steps to address the audit’s recommendations to improve oversight of its construction process and how funds are obligated and spent.
