GSA considers debarring Qwest

The General Services Administration is considering debarring Qwest Communications Inc. because of the indictment of four former employees and an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

GSA's inspector general referred the case to the agency's suspension and debarment official.

The action stems from the indictment in February of four former employees involved in a transaction with the Arizona School Facilities Board and a civil complaint filed at the same time by the Securities and Exchange Commission against those employees relating to that transaction and another transaction with Genuity Inc. in 2001.

Qwest is cooperating with the GSA and believes it will remain a supplier to the government, although it cannot predict the outcome of this referral, the company said in a press release.