One of the multitude of contractors at work in Iraq misplaced more than $185,000 in cash, according to a report by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. In addition, there was almost no oversight over the contractor’s efforts to perform in Iraq for the first four years of contracted work in the area, raising eyebrows and causing all manner of consternation on the part of inspectors. After losing more than $185,000 in cash, the contractor wrote the loss off as an expense which was covered by the US. While there have been many millions of dollars spent in the attempt to rebuild Iraq, this particular loss seems to stick out as strange, considering that there was so little oversight in the case of the early work being done by these contractors. The contracting officer in Iraq issued a letter stating that the loss was unforeseen and not the fault of the Institute. Naturally, there was no immediate explanation of what happened to the money or who had access to it in its various forms. Officials state that this activity is very likely legal under Federal acquisition regulations, but that the administration of the contract will come under examination once the contract is closed out.