Armstrong Williams Payments Illegal, Says GAO

The Government Accountability Office says Bush administration payments to broadcast commentator Armstrong Williams to promote its "No Child Left Behind" policy were illegal, according to Rep. George Miller (D-CA), ranking member of the Education and Workforce Committee and one of the leading critics of the Department of Education's PR contract with Williams. In a report requested by Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), the GAO found that the payments--around $250,000--violated prohibitions on funding "covert propaganda." The DOE's own investigation found no illegality in the awarding of the contracts, though it found problems with oversight that the department pledged to address, leaving it to GAO to rule on the legality of the practices cited. GAO also found a Ketchum Communications media analysis of public attitudes toward the Bush administration and Republicans illegal, said Rep Miller Friday.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6262206?display=Breaking+News &referral=SUPP
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* GAO: Bush Team Broke Law With 'Covert Propaganda'
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001219925

* Commentator says he may return fees
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20051003/a_gaowilliams03.art.htm