Corruption in Big Easy Levee Construction

A Los Angeles Times piece reported that corruption may have been involved in the construction of the New Orleans levees and that directly lead to the recent failure of the levees.

The New Orleans levees that ruptured during Hurricane Katrina's storm surges two months ago were weakened by widespread structural flaws, and the construction of several floodwalls may have been undermined by possible corruption, engineering experts told a Senate committee Wednesday.

…officials familiar with the reports said the engineering team had heard allegations from contract workers, engineers and others knowledgeable about New Orleans floodwall work that political influence and organized crime might have played a role in construction flaws in at least two levees that failed after Katrina struck Aug. 29.

The officials said there had been allegations that several construction firms involved in levee work in the early 1990s might have been improperly awarded no-bid contracts because of political connections. There also have been reports of organized crime links to firms involved in the construction…

Given the history of New Orleans and the performance of the New Orleans Police Department during the flood following hurricane Katrina, does this report surprise you?