WASHINGTON – The U.S. Justice Department has announced the selection of an independent auditor to evaluate the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, Congressman Jo Bonner announced Wednesday.

The Justice Department released a letter from Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli on Wednesday naming an independent auditor to immediately begin work on the audit. Perrelli noted that the auditor’s work will be “overseen and directed by the Department of Justice.”

Reacting to the news of the audit, Congressman Bonner said, “For nearly a year and a half, thousands of coastal residents and business owners have struggled with a failed claims system that has arbitrarily awarded payments and subjected claimants to lengthy delays without explanation. All of these people deserve to know how Mr. Feinberg has been conducting his claims operations.

“During his visit to Alabama in late June, I asked Attorney General Eric Holder for an audit of the GCCF. Furthermore, the Justice Department funding legislation approved by Congress in November also included my request for the GCCF audit.

“I look forward to monitoring the progress of the audit and join thousands on the coast in awaiting its results.”