Inspector General Report Says Oil Royalties Unpaid

Evidently companies operating offshore oil rigs are not pyaing billions in royalties on oil and gas from federal land and coastal waters. The report's findings:

* Since 2000, audits have declined
* The Interior Department reviews only 9 percent of all properties and 20 percent of all companies.
* The computerzied fact-checking system is inadequate.
* Government data are incomplete and inaccurate.

The eight month report was delivered as a report to Congress. (NYT)