Federal Reports

To gain insight on the effects and impact of COVID-19 on law enforcement investigative operations, the DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) surveyed law enforcement personnel within the DOJ during July and early August of 2020. Specifically, the OIG deployed an anonymous online survey to Special Agents; Criminal Investigators; General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance personnel; and U.S. Marshals and Deputy U.S. Marshals. Results from this survey are available at the following link: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/891259547d994573a314acf7927ac6…

For our evaluation of the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority’s) actions following our August 2019 management alert, FirstNet Management Altered Contract Requirements Without Authorization -- which was a result of a hotline complaint -- our objective was to assess whether FirstNet Authority management took steps to address the concerns noted in our August 2019 management alert and whether continued concerns still existed.We observed that FirstNet Authority management took several actions consistent with the corrective steps proposed in the management alert. However, FirstNet Authority’s actions have not fully mitigated issues included in the management alert. Continued management attention is warranted to strengthen the underlying control environment, which continues to allow inappropriate management actions.

We audited Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County’s (NHSLA) Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2). The audit was based on a complaint alleging questionable NSP2 financial activity, double payments to contractors, and payments to contractors for incomplete work. Our Office of Audit received the referred complaint in late 2018. However, because the complaint included concerns regarding activities and auditee actions from at least 5 years before, we did not address the specific complaint issues but instead reviewed more recent program activities. The objective of the audit was to determine whether NHSLA administered its NSP2 in accordance with program requirements, focusing on procurement and contracting, expenditures of program income, and tracking and accounting of program income.NHSLA did not always follow program requirements in administering its NSP2. Specifically, it (1) could not support NSP2 activities in its interfund account and revolving loan fund, (2) borrowed NSP2 program income and deposited those funds into its non-NSP2 accounts, (3) could not support administrative and project delivery costs, and (4) did not have proper documentation to support the procurement of its construction contract. As a result, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) did not have assurance that more than $5.1 million in program income was used for its NSP2, $1.7 million in salary expenditures was in accordance with program requirements, and $856,692 in construction costs was reasonable.We recommend that the Director of the Los Angeles Office of Community Planning and Development require NHSLA to (1) support the eligibility of interfund activities or repay the program $3.4 million from non-Federal funds, (2) return $529,745 in program income funds to its NSP2 account, (3) support the use of its loan proceeds or repay the program $658,261 from non-Federal funds, (4) support transfers of NSP2 funds or repay the program $500,000 from non-Federal funds, (5) support its administrative and project delivery costs or repay the program more than $1,388,545 from non-Federal funds and not reimburse another $324,478, (6) support the reasonableness of the construction contract or repay the program $856,692 from non-Federal funds, and (7) develop and implement procedures and controls for its procurement.

DOL-OIG Investigations Newsletter Volume XXXI for the period of October 1 - November 30, 2020

Memorandum for Department of Defense Lead Inspector General

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Postal Service provided vital service, including the delivery of critical items such as medications, stimulus payments, and Social Security checks. Further, the Postal Service is the leading delivery service provider for online purchases. A May 2020 Harris Poll survey on America’s 100 essential companies’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, ranked the Postal Service as number one, based on its resolve, integrity, responsiveness, and permanence. Our objective was to evaluate mail service during the early stages of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic.

On 27 March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided emergency assistance and healthcare response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the Coronavirus disease. Section 3610 of the CARES Act provided agencies discretionary authority to reimburse costs of paid leave to federal contractors and subcontractors using existing appropriations to keep these individuals in a ready state and to protect the life and safety of government and contractor personnel. Given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding these Section 3610 authorities, including the potential risk to National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) programs as well as substantial funding outlays, the NRO Office of Inspector General conducted this evaluation. The objectives were to evaluate the NRO's implementation of Section 3610 of the CARES Act and to identify preliminary impacts to the NRO's mission. The OIG determined that the NRO used a multifaceted strategy consistent with Section 3610 and Office of Management and Budget guidance to ensure mission resilience while protecting the health and safety of the NRO contractor workforce. The OIG also identified potential impacts to the NRO's mission that could influence the efficiency and effectiveness of NRO's activities moving forward.