Federal Reports

Semiannual Report to Congress: April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021

During this semiannual reporting period, we issued two audit reports that included $51,408 in questioned costs and nine recommendations to improve Agency operations and award recipient’s stewardship of Federal funds. Through our audit follow-up process, we assisted the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) staff and award recipients in clearing 47 recommendations based on corrective actions taken. In addition, we resolved a total of 29 hotline complaints. I applaud the NEA and Office of Inspector General (OIG) staff for pressing forward and working together when needed to avoid unreasonable and unnecessary work delays during the Pandemic. This enabled staff to continue delivering the missions of the Agency and OIG in a high quality and timely manner in spite of COVID-19, which required staff to continue working virtually during this period. The OIG has also initiated steps to monitor NEA’s progress to implement the President’s mandate to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) into all of its internal and external programs. The OIG applauds NEA’s initial steps to assess the level of DEIA in its program, and to add DEIA goals and strategies into its strategic plan. Recognizing the significance of this mandate and the level of effort it may take to implement the mandate, the OIG has added the DEIA mandate to the agency’s top management challenges. The value-added work that the OIG accomplished this semiannual period is due to my staff’s commitment to excellence, continued growth, and dedicated work effort; along with the support of the NEA Acting Chairman and her staff. I will continue to work with my staff, the Chairman, and her staff in promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness while helping to ensure integrity, excellence, and value in the delivery of NEA’s mission.

An Amtrak onboard supervisor based in Seattle, Washington, resigned from the company on December 7, 2021, while under investigation for engaging in outside employment while on a medical leave of absence. Our investigation found that the former employee violated company policy by operating a personal business while on a medical leave of absence from the company.

We substantiated allegations that an oil and gas company claimed unallowable costs. The company agreed to pay ONRR a $6.15 million settlement.

We substantiated allegations that Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc., produced minerals without obtaining a Federal mineral lease.

Robert Barrows, a former Amtrak Assistant Conductor, was sentenced in U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, on December 7, 2021, and ordered to pay restitution of $1,000. He pleaded guilty on June 17, 2021, to making a false statement to obtain federal employee’s compensation in 2016. Barrows falsely claimed on his unemployment benefits claim form that he had no income during the claim period when he applied for Railroad Retirement Board unemployment benefits. Our investigation was conducted jointly with the RRB Office of Inspector General.