The audit suggested that the consultants were paid to make contact with Secretary Pierce and his top aides.

"At worst Secretary Pierce knowingly lied and committed perjury during his testimony."

"Secretary Pierce has used up all of his timeouts already, and the fact that you've got a new coach doesn't give you more timeouts," he added.

An autopen is a device that duplicates a signature - in this case, the signature of Secretary Pierce.

"Mr. Watt believes he did speak with Secretary Pierce at some point."

"I am not sure this can legally be done, but check it out and let me know," Secretary Pierce told the aide.

Ms. Dean, 37 years old, joined the department in November 1982 as special assistant to Secretary Pierce.

"I don't believe at the bottom of my heart that Secretary Pierce ever took any money," he said.

"My relationship with Secretary Pierce was one from a friendship basis," Mr. Singletary said.

But enough evidence has now come to light to indicate that co-insurance is the most costly legacy of Secretary Pierce's troubled tenure.