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politics1d ago
Senator Demands Federal Agencies Halt Small Business Contracts, Citing Investigation of Native Hawaiian Firm
- Sen. Joni Ernst urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to pause 8(a) no-bid contracts amid investigations into Dawson and related firms.
- Dawson’s firms reportedly received federal work, including a $3.4 million Navy award, while under investigation.
- The SBA said it would audit the 8(a) program and work with agencies to stop fraud and abuse.
- The investigation focuses on whether profits were diverted from Native Hawaiian-focused firms for personal use.
- Ernst and others linked 8(a) program flaws to decades of oversight and enforcement concerns.
- Dawson’s case has sparked broader GOP scrutiny of DEI-focused 8(a) contracting programs.
- Hawaiian Native Corp. and associated firms denied wrongdoing and said they cooperated with investigations.
- The article notes Dawson’s death in 2024 and ongoing asset forfeiture and investigation.
- The piece highlights ongoing DOJ investigations and potential asset seizures tied to the defendants.
- The report frames the issue within a broader national debate on accountability in federal contracting.
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