The Smithsonian Institution has lost $12.3 million in equipment, including 89 laptop computers, since 2005.

Smithsonian Inspector General A. Sprightley Ryan told a congressional panel Thursday that the museum complex had not held employees accountable for pilfering Smithsonian property, mostly office equipment.

Ryan discovered that there were few controls in registering property or pursuing missing objects. She recommends better training and documentation.

Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough says the institution will strictly enforce policies involving museum property.

Ryan also found the Smithsonian misappropriated $550,000 from its maintenance funds from Congress to two construction projects last year.

Rep. Norm Dicks called the switch a misuse of funds.

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