By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press, February 29, 2008

29 Feb 2008 // Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., on Thursday called for a Pentagon investigation into Kevlar safety and allegations made against a North Dakota company that manufactures the protective cloth.

Sioux Manufacturing Corp., a business owned by the Spirit Lake tribe, agreed to pay $1.9 million last year to settle a lawsuit filed by two former employees on behalf of the government. The company was accused of failing to follow specifications in making Kevlar cloth material, a protective synthetic fiber used in helmets and body armor.

The company denies wrongdoing, saying the employees were disgruntled and that it settled the lawsuit to avoid a costly legal battle.

"If the allegations are found to be accurate, the Department of Defense will need to know that, and the consequences will be significant," said Dorgan. "If the investigation determines that the facts do not support the allegations, then it raises other questions about how and why this matter was pursued."

A Pentagon spokesman did not immediately respond to a request Thursday for comment.

A government watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, has called for Congress to investigate the issue as well as additional government contracts awarded to the company.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., said decisions on investigations are up to the House and Senate Armed Services committees.

"I expect the Department of Defense to insist upon very exacting standards in the production of equipment for our soldiers to keep them safe," Pomeroy said.