Commas (To comma or not to comma)

We have an ongoing tug-of-war with the surveyors about correct comma usage. Could someone please correct this sentence? Thanks - lunch is riding on it!

Based on our survey findings and not having evidence to the contrary it is our opinion tha thte shortages reported herein are due to pilferage and/or mis-delivery as alleged while in the care custody and control of the steamship company and/or their agents.

To pieanne,

I believe you missed one (,) after "alleged",

"Based on our survey findings, and not having evidence to the contrary, it is our opinion that the shortages reported herein are due to pilferage and/or mis-delivery, as alleged, while in the care custody and control of the steamship company and/or their agents.

An alternative version might omit the comma before 'as alleged', and add one after 'care':

"Based on our survey findings, and not having evidence to the contrary, it is our opinion that the shortages reported herein are due to pilferage and/or mis-delivery as alleged, while in the care, custody and control of the steamship company and/or their agents."

MrP

PS:

I'm not sure I should bring this up...since lunch depends on it...But the 'while' clause appears to dangle.

MrP

Hello temico

To my ears, 'as alleged' would apply both to pilferage and misdelivery, if the comma were omitted. I'd be interested to hear other people's opinions though.

MrP