Federal Reports

This reports on the activities and accomplishments of this office from April 1, 2018, through September 30, 2018. The audits, investigations, and related work highlighted in the report are products of our mission to identify and stop fraud, waste, and abuse, and promote accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness through our oversight of the Department’s programs and operations. Specifically, we issued 8 audits and other reports that contained recommendations to improve Department programs and operations. In addition, we closed 48 investigations involving fraud or corruption, securing more than $44.5 million in restitution, settlements, fines, recoveries, forfeitures, and savings. As a result of this work, criminal actions were taken against a number of people, including current and former school officials and service providers who cheated students and taxpayers.

The Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the results of OIG oversight, provides statistical information, and lists all reports issued April 1–September 30, 2018. During this reporting period, OIG audits, investigations, inspections, evaluations, and other reviews identified over $1.15 billion in monetary benefits for a return of $17 for every dollar invested in OIG oversight. During this reporting period, OIG issued 158 reports and work products on VA programs and operations, made 594 recommendations, and conducted investigations that led to 214 arrests.

In fulfilling our role to ensure efficiency, accountability, and integrity in the United States Postal system, we are submitting this report pursuant to the Inspector General Act, in order to outline our work and activities for the six-month period of April 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018. During this period, we issued 95 audit reports, management advisories, data analysis memorandums, and white papers, and the Postal Service accepted 75 percent of our recommendations. We completed 1,578 investigations that led to 400 arrests and nearly $72.8 million in fines, restitutions, and recoveries, $37.2 million of which was turned over to the Postal Service.

Our newly released Semiannual Report to the Congress (SAR) highlights the audit, inspection, and investigative activities we have undertaken during the second half of Fiscal Year 2018.In the six month reporting period, April 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018, we issued 30 reports, including management alerts and reports on Disaster Relief Fund spending. We issued 116 unique recommendations to the Department and closed 149 recommendations, issued in this and prior periods, because of the Department’s actions.Our audits resulted in questioned costs of $45,234,688. The Department recovered or deobligated from audits $50,053,802. We issued 3 reports identifying $4,964,641 in funds put to better use. Additionally, we reported $32,417,115 in recoveries, fines, and restitution from Investigations and $72,947,509 in forfeited assets.We initiated 395 and closed 433 investigations. Our investigations resulted in 41 arrests, 65 indictments, 46 convictions, and 18 personnel actions.

The October 2018 Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the Office of Inspector General’s successful work completed from April 1, 2018, through September 30, 2018, to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability within the programs, operations, and management of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Our audit-related activities resulted in total monetary impacts of $101,154,100, with 187 recommendations made and 133 recommendations closed. Our investigative activities resulted in 37 months of jail time, 156 months of probation, and $601,413 in criminal restitution and $600,000 in civil settlements or recoveries.

This report summarizes the oversight work performed by EAC OIG during the 6-month period ended September 30, 2018.