Gates says he wants to know more about role contractors play in intelligence

Gates investigates role contractors play in intel

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he wants to know more about the role contractors might be playing in war zones when it comes to collecting intelligence.

Gates told reporters on Monday that he is looking into allegations that a Defense Department official ran an off-the-books spy operation in Afghanistan and Pakistan that relied on contractors.

Gates says he has concerns with such a program “in principle,” but wants to know more about it and whether it was useful.

Gates said: “If it’s necessary to make some changes, I’ll do that.”