Federal Reports

We audited the Puerto Rico Department of Housing (PRDOH) in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General’s (HUD OIG) goal to review disaster funding and based on a congressional request for HUD OIG to conduct capacity reviews for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria grantees. Our audit objectives were to determine whether the PRDOH had the capacity to (1) administer its Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grants in accordance with applicable regulations and requirements and (2) whether it had in place financial and procurement policies and procedures that promote the expenditure of funds and the acquisition of goods and services in accordance with Federal requirements. The PRDOH should strengthen its financial and procurement capacity to administer its CDBG-DR grants in accordance with applicable regulations and requirements. Specifically, it could strengthen its capacity by (1) improving its financial controls, (2) improving its processes for preventing duplication of benefits, (3) improving its procurement controls, and (4) continuing to increase its staffing. Strengthening its capacity would help ensure that the PRDOH properly administers more than $19 billion in CDBG-DR funds in accordance with applicable requirements. The PRDOH did not follow Federal and its own procurement requirements when it acquired goods and services. As a result, HUD had no assurance that purchases totaling $416,511 were reasonable, necessary, and allowable. We recommend that HUD require the PRDOH to (1) develop adequate procedures outlining steps for tracking monthly grant expenditures and reprogramming funds and program income and develop and implement a financial management system for its 2008 CDBG-DR grant, (2) review and update its policies and procedures to prevent duplication of benefits, (3) review and update its procurement policies and procedures, and (4) continue to fill its vacancies. In addition, HUD should require the PRDOH to submit supporting documentation showing compliance with procurement requirements and that $416,511 were reasonable and necessary costs or reimburse the program $55,010 from non-Federal funds and cancel $361,501 of CDBG-DR obligations.

In accordance with our Annual Performance Plan Fiscal Year 2020, dated October 2019, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an assessment of the United States Capitol Police (USCP or the Department) Leadership Training Program. Our objectives were to determine whether (1) sworn supervisors received leadership training prior to and after promotion, and (2) that training aligned with policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and best practices. Our scope of the assessment included training received as of September 30, 2019.

Our objective was to determine whether the U.S. Postal Inspection Service has efficient and effective controls to manage the Administrative Non-Mailability Protocol (ANP) program. Postal inspectors are federal law enforcement officers responsible for enforcing laws that defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use. In 2016, the Postal Inspection Service implemented the ANP program, which is an administrative procedure used to detain, document, and process mail packages that are reasonably suspected of containing marijuana from the mailstream.

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This letter responds to a February 10, 2020, letter from Senator Schumer requesting information regarding retaliation against whistleblowers in EAC and EAC OIG.

To address the increased need for treatment services, the 21st Century Cures Act established the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis grant program (STR grant program). Through this program, SAMHSA awarded almost $1 billion in grants to States over a 2-year grant period (May 2017 through April 2019). States were required to use these funds to expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), especially medication-assisted treatment (MAT); reduce unmet treatment needs; and reduce opioid overdose-related deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.