Federal Reports

During a recent investigation into allegations that a former U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) employee charged more than $14,000 in unauthorized transactions for personal gain, we learned of a U.S. Government charge/travel card (GTC) transaction review practice that could be beneficial if applied across the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). We also learned that training could help charge card reviewers at the DOI detect and prevent GTC misuse. In addition, we learned of a billing practice that makes it difficult for the Government to hold employees accountable for unresolved debts. The USGS uses a budgeting software that allows it to monitor and identify questionable and unauthorized GTC charges in real time, rather than relying on the review of monthly GTC statements. Implementing real-time transaction review capabilities DOI-wide would help ensure that GTC charges are authorized and correct. We also learned during this and past investigations, that first-line supervisors and approving officials did not have the training to identify fraud schemes and indicators. With training, charge card reviewers would be better able to identify fraudulent charges. In addition, the USGS and other DOI bureaus issue bills for collection through email rather than certified or registered mail. Using certified or registered mail would allow the Government to ensure the intended party receives the bill and therefore better hold debtors accountable.Our management advisory alerts the DOI to these opportunities. We recommend the DOI establish real-time monitoring of GTC transactions, train managers on GTC fraud indicators and reporting requirements, and ensure bills for collection are sent via certified or registered mail with a signature requirement.

To assess the (1) completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and quality of Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 first quarter financial and award data the Social Security Administration (SSA) submitted for publication on USASpending.gov and (2) Agency’s implementation and use of the Government-wide financial data standards established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Department of the Treasury (Treasury).

This report includes EAC OIG’s independent assessment of the top management challenges facing EAC in fiscal year 2019.

Our objective was to evaluate the U.S. Postal Service’s performance in processing Election and Political Mail for the 2018 midterm and special elections. The Postmaster General requested this audit. We previously reviewed the Processing Readiness for Election and Political Mail for the 2018 Midterm Elections and issued a report in June 2018. Midterm and general elections are held in the U.S. every two and four years, respectively. Special elections are held outside of this cycle for specific purposes, often to fill a vacant office.

We audited Vineville Christian Towers’ (project) Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD) conversion in accordance with our annual audit plan. Our audit objective was to determine whether the project’s RAD conversion to the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Program was completed in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) requirements; specifically, whether Christian Church Homes of North California (owner) ensured that the project’s RAD conversion was accurate and supported. The owner did not ensure that the project’s RAD conversion was accurate and supported. Specifically, the owner did not ensure that (1) the converting units were for qualified tenants who received tenant protection assistance before the submission of the RAD application and had not vacated the units and (2) the RAD conversion was supported with tenant protection assistance based on an adequate housing conversion action. This condition occurred because the owner was not familiar with the requirements related to the RAD conversion and tenant protection assistance. As a result, it (1) improperly executed the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Program housing assistance payments contract for 90 units at the project, (2) improperly received more than $485,000 in housing assistance, and (3) may have provided improper certifications to HUD on program compliance.We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Atlanta, GA, Office of Public and Indian Housing require the owner to (1) cancel the project’s contract resulting from the RAD conversion, (2) reimburse its administering public housing agency more than $485,000 from nonproject funds, and (3) develop and implement procedures and adequately train its staff to help ensure compliance with program requirements. We also recommend that HUD’s Associate General Counsel for Program Enforcement and Departmental Enforcement Center take and pursue appropriate enforcement and administrative actions against the owner.