WASHINGTON (AP) -- An audit has found that a Defense Department public affairs program was run in a "questionable and unregulated manner."

The Pentagon's inspector general focused on the "America Supports You" program. It was intended as a short-term effort to publicize groups and businesses that were backing U.S. troops but grew into a multimillion dollar project.

Between 2004 and 2007, the DOD spent $9.2 million the program, which shifted from informing troops about how they were being supported to actively soliciting backing from school children, businesses, celebrities and the media. Most of the money was paid to Susan Davis International, a public relations firm in Washington.

The audit blames the Defense Department's public affairs office for mishandling the program and providing too little oversight.