Updated February 25, 2010

Two DHS Agencies Reportedly Lose 1,000 Computers in One Fiscal Year

FOXNews.com

Two agencies within the Department of Homeland Security reportedly lost nearly 1,000 computers in fiscal year 2008, costing taxpayers approximately $13.3 million.

According to documents obtained via the Freedom of Information Act by Todd Shepherd of the Independence Institute, inventories of lost, stolen and damaged equipment indicate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) lost at least 985 computers combined.

CBP's total inventory of lost and stolen equipment, or 1,975 pieces, totaled $7.5 million; ICE's inventory, meanwhile, was 1,547 items, equating to a loss of $5.8 million.

"When I look at these inventories with my own eyes, page after page, I still think there's a good chance that we're dealing with some significant security breaches, and possibly insider theft," said Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute. "You really have to look at these inventories, and go through them page after page to get an idea off how obnoxious these losses are."

CBP reportedly insists that none of the lost computers contained sensitive or classified date. Other losses, according to the Independence Institute, include 235 night vision scopes by CBP officials and an "International Harvester truck" -- valued at $116,349 -- on behalf of ICE officials.

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