Indian unit's losses near $16 million
The Indian Health Service lost at least $15.8 million worth of equipment between 2004 and 2007 and later falsified documents to cover up some of those losses, the Government Accountability Office reported.
The 5,000 pieces of lost or stolen equipment included a computer that contained more than 800 Social Security numbers and sensitive health information. Also missing are trucks, tractors, all-terrain vehicles and about a third of information technology items -- including computers, video projectors and digital cameras -- from the agency's headquarters in Rockville, Md.
The GAO blamed mismanagement at the top of the embattled agency, which often runs out of money to provide adequate healthcare to the American Indians it serves.
TEXAS
Hurricane warning for Dolly
Hurricane warnings were issued for parts of Texas and Mexico as Tropical Storm Dolly churned through the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm was expected to bring high winds and dump 10 to 20 inches of rain in coastal areas near the border by this evening or early Wednesday. Emergency officials feared major flooding and urged coastal residents to prepare.
CONNECTICUT
Drowning charge for pool exec
A swimming pool company president was charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with the drowning of a 6-year-old boy whose arm was trapped by the suction of a powerful drain pump.
Shoreline Pools President David Lionetti, 53, of Stamford, was released on $25,000 bond. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.
MICHIGAN
San Diego mom charged in escape
A California mother arrested 32 years after she fled a Detroit-area prison was charged with escape. Susan LeFevre, 53, is serving at least 5 1/2 years of her remaining sentence for selling heroin. If convicted of escape, she could face up to five more years in prison. She was arrested outside her San Diego home in April.
GUAM
3 bodies found in B-52 crash
Three airmen have been reported killed in the crash of an Air Force B-52 bomber off the coast. An intensive search for the remaining three crew members continues, the military said. Coast Guard spokesman Lt. John Titchen said the search covered about 3,000 square miles of the Pacific.
PENNSYLVANIA
Anchor charged with hacking
A fired Philadelphia TV newscaster was charged with hacking into the e-mail of his glamorous younger co-anchor hundreds of times for more than two years. Leaked information about her personal life helped lead to her downfall.
Federal prosecutors say former KYW-TV anchor Larry Mendte, 51, gained access to Alycia Lane's accounts from home and at work about 537 times between January and May alone, and shared some information with a reporter.
Lane, 36, was fired in January after the revelation of a series of embarrassing off-camera incidents, including a scuffle with a New York City police officer.
Mendte was fired last month after FBI agents searched his home and seized his computer. If convicted, he could face up to six months in prison.
From Times Wire Reports
