Former Federal Government Employee Pleads Guilty to False Statements
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
Logo
Abbreviation
DOC
Agencies
Department of Commerce
Federal Agency
Yes
Location
United States
What to Report to the OIG Hotline
Commerce OIG maintains a Hotline for receiving allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, or gross mismanagement in the Department of Commerce’s programs and operations, including any organization or entity receiving Departmental funds. The following is a list of examples of types of allegations that should be reported:
- Contract and grant fraud
- Environmental, health, and safety violations
- Computer crimes (including internet pornography)
- Product substitution and suspect/counterfeit parts
- Bribery, kickbacks, and gratuities
- False statements and false claims
- Conflicts of interest and ethics violations
- Travel fraud
- Theft or abuse of government property
- Gross mismanagement of funds
- Other violations of federal laws and regulations
What Not to Report to the OIG Hotline
Certain matters are better resolved through other channels, instead of the Commerce OIG Hotline. The following matters are NOT generally investigated by Commerce OIG:
- 911 emergencies regarding a Departmental facility or operation. Report to the local or state law enforcement authorities and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Security.
- Complaints of EEO discrimination and retaliation. Report to the Department of Commerce’s Office of Civil Rights.
- Personal theft. Report to Department of Commerce’s Office of Security.
- Personnel matters involving requests for individual relief. Report to the servicing Office of Human Resources Management.
- Employment related grievances or complaints against management officials unless part of a whistleblower claim. Report to the servicing Office of Human Resources Management.
- Assistance with the U.S. patent application process (e.g., initial filing, patent examination, and post-examination) and case prosecution concerns (e.g., claim objections, after-final practice, claim rejections and restrictions). Contact the Patents Ombudsman Office (https://www.uspto.gov/patent/ombudsman-program).
Whistleblower Protection Page
USPTO Should Address Risks to Its Pendency Reduction Efforts for Trademark Applications
2025
OIG-25-002-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
For our final report on our audit of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) management of trademark pendency, our objective was to determine whether USPTO exercised effective oversight and management of trademark pendency. Specifically, we assessed USPTO’s development, monitoring...
Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce in FY 2025
2025
OIG-25-001
Top Management Challenges
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
This report summarizes the following top management and performance challenges facing the Department of Commerce in FY 2025: (I) Modernizing Technology and Systems (Maximizing Cybersecurity and IT Security, Modernizing IT Systems and Operations, and Integrating AI and Other Emerging Technologies...
A Lack of Program Management Controls and Attention to IT Security Threatens the Success of NOAA’s Effort to Implement a Cloud-Based Common Ground System
2024
OIG-24-034-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) provides access to global environmental data from satellites and other sources. Current NESDIS ground systems process data from NOAA and non-NOAA satellites and...
NIST Overstated MEP’s Economic Impacts to Congress and Other Stakeholders
2024
OIG-24-037-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a national network of 51 MEP Centers—in all 50 states and Puerto Rico—providing any U.S. manufacturer with resources to improve production processes, upgrade technological capabilities...
BIS’ Export License Approval Process Reduces Risk of Threats from China’s Military-Civilian Fusion Strategy, but BIS Should Take Additional Steps to Mitigate Risks of Unauthorized Technology Release to China’s Military
2024
OIG-24-036-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
We conducted this audit to assess the adequacy of the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS’) efforts to reduce the risk of threats from China’s Military-Civilian Fusion strategy. We specifically reviewed BIS’ process for approving export license applications, as well as its response to a related...
Biennial Audit of the Department’s Compliance with Geospatial Data Act Requirements
2024
OIG-24-035-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
Our objective was to assess the Department’s compliance with the 13 covered agency responsibilities in 43 U.S.C. § 2808(a). To meet this objective, we reviewed our audit results from 2020 and 2022 and obtained updated information from the Department for each of the 13 requirements. In addition, we...
Research Foundation Pays $313,574 To Resolve Claims That University Research Scientist Failed To Disclose Foreign Support
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
Wisconsin Man Sentenced to Prison for COVID-19 Program Fraud
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce Efforts to Provide Space Situational Awareness Services Have Been Delayed and Need a Realistic Schedule
2024
OIG-24-031-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
Objects orbiting Earth such as satellites and debris continue to increase in number, making space contested and congested. Preventing collisions is crucial to protecting the safety of space activities and assets.In June 2018, the White House issued Space Policy Directive-3, National Space Traffic...