Posted on: Thursday, March 7, 2002
Captain in hot water over Kaua'i home repair
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The commander of the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua'i was cited in a Navy investigative report for improperly paying for work on his official residence and related structures, and for other issues involving how work at the base was paid for.
Capt. Brian Moss and the Pacific Missile Range Facility have declined to comment on allegations, based on a Navy inspector general's investigation conducted more than a year ago.
The Navy has taken "effective measures" in response to the investigation, said Lt. Jane Campbell, Navy Region Hawaii public affairs officer.
Among the allegations: That Moss spent $119,000 building two beach gazebos, one near his official residence and one near the base's enlisted housing, which cost far more than an original estimate of $15,000; and that he spent more than $50,000 renovating his official residence on the base, including $13,000 for carpeting, which was flown in from the Mainland.
Money used to pay for the work was not properly authorized, the investigative report said.
"It was a matter of, the funds were there, but it was the wrong funding category. It was a matter of which pot to take it from," Campbell said.
She said since the expenditures, the Navy has more clearly delineated who makes decisions for paying for Navy housing improvements. All such decisions at all Navy facilities in the Islands are now made by a Navy program manager for housing, she said.
Navy Region Hawaii conducted the investigation at the Pacific Missile Range Facility after receiving an anonymous complaint on a Navy complaint hot line.
Navy Region Hawaii has closed its portion of the investigation. Campbell would not say whether Moss was reprimanded for his actions. She said certain portions of the case have been sent to the Pacific Fleet, which oversees Navy Region Hawaii.
Moss was also cited for dramatically increasing base spending for consultants whose work was not always what the money was authorized for.
