Military housing company puts families at risk even after pleading guilty to fraud – FOX13 News Memphis

WASHINGTON — One of the largest providers of privatized military housing is accused of continuing to endanger the health and safety of military families, even after the company pleaded guilty to fraud in a federal investigation, according to a new report released by a Senate subcommittee on Tuesday.

The Senate Investigations Standing Subcommittee report examined complaints against Balfour Beatty Communities, LLC., which operates more than 43,000 homes in 26 states, according to the report.

The investigation focused on Balfour Beatty’s management of military housing at Fort Gordon in Georgia and Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.

“PSI’s investigation found numerous examples since late 2019 of poor conditions in Balfour military housing and disregard for safety issues and environmental hazards that put military families at risk,” the report said.

Captain Samuel Choe, his wife and three children lived in military quarters at Fort Gordon run by Balfour Beatty.

Choe testified before the Senate subcommittee about how mold and mildew led to severe rashes and health issues for their daughter.

“There’s neglect on every level here,” Choe said. “He is diagnosed with a condition called atopic dermatitis severe to the point where it is life threatening. Unfortunately, the basis of her condition was founded on what she was exposed to while we resided stationed at Fort Gordon.

Choe said the damage changed her family’s lives.

“The literal scars of her experience haunt and torment her to this day,” Choe said.

The report says Choe’s experience is unfortunately not uncommon.

He found that Balfour Beatty management “failed to respond appropriately to repairs and environmental risks”.

He pointed to instances of water leaks, collapsed ceilings and floors, and concerns about asbestos.

“Negligence, misconduct and abuse that continued even after Balfour Beatty pleaded guilty to a scheme to defraud the United States between 2013 and 2019,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff, chairman of the Permanent Investigations Subcommittee.

“These men and women should expect to live in conditions that will not harm their health and safety and that of their families,” said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), a member of the sub -Standing Investigations Committee.

The report said federal agencies “will need to exercise stricter oversight” of Balfour Beatty, but some witnesses called on the company to stop providing military housing altogether.

“The military has lost faith in companies like Balfour Beatty because of their continued disregard for the health and safety of our military families,” said Rachel Christian, Legislative Director of Armed Forces Housing Advocates. “We believe ending the partnership with Balfour Beatty is the only way to ensure our service members are prepared.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Balfour Beatty Communities said: ‘We are disappointed that the PSI report does not accurately reflect the company’s level of commitment to its military residents and their families or acknowledge the measures significant steps that were taken to address the small number of complaints that were discussed.The report, which was released ahead of the hearing, includes multiple inaccuracies and misdescriptions, which the company attempted to correct prior to release and that “She will address again after the hearing. As we continually seek to improve, as the operator of 43,000 residences, we are inevitably going to face challenges. The company remains focused on safety, health and the well-being of its residents and on the provision of quality homes backed by prompt and efficient customer service and maintenance support.”

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