GAO report criticizes Defense Department for money transfers.(Newport News (Va.) Daily Press)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. _ A report from the investigative arm of Congress states the Department of Defense needs to stop the practice of transferring funds from one project to another, such as the Navy's plans to shift $22 million to pay for work on the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan.

Such money moves can be financially irresponsible and are simply a bad way to do business, according to the report, "Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: Department of Defense," by the U.S. General Accounting Office, or the GAO.

"Without effective control over its contract management activities, the (Defense) Department will continue to risk erroneously paying contractors …