Airport contractors to be included in COVID-19 stimulus program audit -Treasury watchdog

The US DoT internal watchdog said on Wednesday it is including a group of airport contractors in its audit of a coronavirus stimulus program aimed at aiding the aviation sector, after lawmakers pressed the agency to halt their funding. The group of stimulus recipients called out by Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives last month for laying off workers are being included in the watchdog's audit of the Payroll Support Program though no investigative work is planned at this time, Treasury Department Deputy Inspector General Richard Delmar said. Last month, the three key lawmakers asked the Treasury Department to halt government assistance to a dozen contractors that received more than $728m in federal funds and have laid off more than 9,000 workers. The lawmakers specifically sent letters to executives of Gate Gourmet, Swissport USA, Flying Food and G2 Secure Staff for taking funds through the Payroll Support Program and laying off workers. Those companies will be included in the audit, the Treasury IG said. A spokesperson for Gate Gourmet said the layoffs and furloughs took place well before any of the funds were disbursed and previously, the company has said the cuts were necessary during the unprecedented times.<br/>