Federal Employee Who Accessed Child Pornography Aboard Government Research Vessel Sentenced to Federal Prison
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
Fundamental Security Safeguards Were Not In Place to Adequately Protect the IT Systems Supporting the 2020 Census
2021
OIG-21-018-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
The objective of this audit was to determine the effectiveness of security measures for select IT systems that support the 2020 Census. Our audit scope included the Bureau’s risk management program, security operations center (SOC) capabilities, security of Active Directory, and implementation of...
The U.S. Census Bureau's Mishandling of a January 2020 Cybersecurity Incident Demonstrated Opportunities for Improvement
2021
OIG-21-034-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
For our final report on the audit of the U.S. Census Bureau's (the Bureau's) incident response process, our audit objective was to assess the adequacy of the Bureau's process to respond to cybersecurity incidents according to federal and U.S. Department of Commerce requirements. We found the...
USPTO Should Improve Controls over Examination of Trademark Filings to Enhance the Integrity of the Trademark Register
2021
OIG-21-033-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
For our final report on the audit of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) efforts to improve the accuracy of the trademark register, our audit objective was to determine whether USPTO’s trademark registration process is effective in preventing fraudulent or inaccurate...
USPTO Has Opportunities to Improve Its Internal Controls and Oversight Related to PTA and PTE Calculations
2021
OIG-21-030-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
For our final report on the evaluation of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) and Patent Term Extension (PTE) processes, our objectives were to determine whether USPTO (1) calculates and awards PTA and PTE in compliance with relevant statutes...
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Pleads Guilty to Causing 2016 Oil Spill and Agrees to $1 Million Fine
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date
NOAA Fisheries Implemented the Requirements for Awarding Funds Under the CARES Act but Faces Challenges with the Pace of Funds Disbursement to Fishery Participants
2021
OIG-21-028-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
Pandemic
For our evaluation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, also known as NOAA Fisheries) plan for the implementation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding, our objective was to determine whether...
Semiannual Report to Congress, March 2021
2021
SAR-2021-03
Semiannual Report
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
This report summarizes work that we initiated and completed during this semiannual period on a number of critical Departmental activities. Over the past 6 months—in addition to issuing our annual Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce—our office issued 20...
OMAO Must Define and Implement a Disciplined Requirements Management Process to Ensure Future Acquisitions Meet User Needs
2021
OIG-21-027-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
For our final report on the evaluation of NOAA OMAO’s Ship Fleet Recapitalization Program, our overall objective was to determine the extent to which NOAA OMAO’s acquisition fleet lifecycle processes were followed throughout the development, operation, maintenance, and sustainment of the program to...
Fiscal Year 2020 Compliance with Improper Payment Requirements
2021
OIG-21-026-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
For our final report on FY 2020 improper payment reporting, our review objective was to determine the Department’s compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA). To determine FY 2020 compliance, we reviewed the “Payment Integrity” section of the Department’s FY 2020 Agency...