Management

Senator: Pandemic Makes Anti-Fraud Law More Important Than Ever

The Justice Department, Congress and whistleblowers must “remain very vigilant” due to the trillions of dollars spent in pandemic relief, said the senator. 

Defense

Intel Agency Worker Pushed His Own Drone Company, Report Details

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency inspector general found one of its employees accessed classified and proprietary data, trying to cheat competitors.

Oversight

Viewpoint: IGs Need More Resources to Combat COVID Stimulus Spending Fraud

Problems with the Small Business Administration’s pandemic loan programs illustrate the need for stronger oversight.

Management

How Agencies Can Better Combat Fraud in Federal Programs

CARES Act implementation problems highlight the need for more effective oversight in safeguarding taxpayer dollars.

Oversight

Meet the Federal Employee Scammers Who Pretended They Worked for the CIA

They held government jobs, but passed themselves off as having far more exciting secret careers.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: Overseeing Agencies' Pandemic Response

Katherine McIntire Peters and Courtney Bublé join the podcast to discuss how IGs, agencies and Congress can account for the money in the CARES Act will be

Oversight

Government Watchdog: Millions Wasted on Tornillo Migrant Detention Facility

The Government Accountability Office found that the government spent $66 million in taxpayer money over five months to hold an average of 28 people per day at the tent encampment near El Paso.

Oversight

Trump Removed the Head of the Coronavirus Bailout Oversight Board. Its Members Could Be Next.

Democrats are scrambling to stop the president from replacing independent government watchdogs after he quickly pushed aside the leader of coronavirus bailout oversight.

Management

GovExec Daily: The Role of Inspectors General in the Trump Era

The Project On Government Oversight's Liz Hempowicz joins the podcast to examine what Michael Atkinson's firing could mean for oversight.

Oversight

Trump Fires Intel IG, Taps White House Confidant for Pandemic Oversight Role

The president’s moves late Friday night underscore the vital role inspectors general play as agencies grapple with pandemic response and unprecedented federal spending.

Oversight

No, Mr. President, You Can’t Be the Oversight

Trump’s signing statement attempts to preclude the special inspector general for pandemic recovery from reporting directly to Congress, which is anathema to the role of an IG.

Oversight

Where’s the Money? Keep an Eye on the CARES Act

With the passage of the $2.3 trillion economic relief bill, things are happening at breakneck speed.

Management

How Oil Companies Avoided Environmental Accountability After 10.8 Million Gallons Spilled

Louisiana still hasn’t finished investigating 540 oil spills after Hurricane Katrina. The state is likely leaving millions of dollars in remediation fines on the table — money that environmental groups say they need as storms get stronger.

Management

Organizations Are Improperly Offering Yoga Classes and $20K Weddings in National Parks

"Learning centers" should reimburse the National Park Service for federal funds they received, auditor says. 

Oversight

Watchdog: High Risk of Improper Payments with State Dept. Purchase Cards

In 2018, more than 2,250 department card holders made purchases totaling $109.5 million.

Oversight

State Dept. Employee and Spouse Indicted on Charges of Trafficking Counterfeit Handbags

The couple allegedly sold counterfeit handbags online for over two years using a government computer.

Oversight

Special Counsel Alerts White House and Congress of ‘Significant Financial Mismanagement’ at VA

Findings include over $223 million in wasteful spending and delayed payments for veterans’ medical bills.

Oversight

Watchdog Concludes Defense Appointee Sexually Harassed Employees

Guy Roberts, former assistant secretary of Defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs, hugged, touched and made sexual comments toward several women, the Pentagon inspector general found.

Management

Viewpoint: We Really Need to Fix the Federal Budget Process

With the 2020 defense policy bill close to done, here are some ideas for next year.