Federal Reports

This Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the activities of our office for the 6-month period

Semiannual Report to Congress

This semiannual report to congress highlights our activities and accomplishments from October 1, 1991 to March 31, 1992.This has been an eventful six months for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). During this reporting period we completed 226 investigations and issued 38 audit reports identifying over $21.4 million in questioned costs and about $58.2million in funds that could be put to better use. In addition, our investigation of fraudulent workers' compensation claims revealed overpayments of more than $777,000 and avoided an estimated $7.5 million in long--term costs.This is the twelfth Inspector General's letter I have written. It is the most difficult one I have had to write because it marks the end of my tenure in the OIG. As I look back on the history of this office-from its inception in 1986 until today - I am proud of the way the OIG's men and women have professionally gone about their work and contributed to TVA. Their willingness to work long hours and their skill and dedication will continue to make a difference. These men and women are the heart and soul of this office and make possible the results documented in this report.It has been a rare privilege to serve as TVA's first Inspector General. I will never forget the support I received from the TVA Board of Directors, TVA managers and employees, and our many friends in Congress. This support is a critical contributor to the office's success, and I believe the OIG will continue to justify this trust by being a fair and objective fact finder and by following the facts wherever they may lead. This support, coupled with the dedication of our staff, will propel this office to future successes long after my departure.Sincerely,Norman A. Zigrossi

This Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the activities of our office for the 6-month period

This is our eleventh semiannual report to Congress. It highlights m1r activities and accomplishments from April 1 to September 30, 1991.TVA is continuing to improve the way it does business. TVA's total quality initiative is well underway, and TVA has embarked on a program to become a clear leader in quality and efficiency, both in the electric utility industry and federal government. We are supporting this process by focusing on our customers' needs and working on issues that are important to TVA management and employees 3S 1111ell as the public.To help TVA operate more effectively, we are continuing to concentrate our audit activities on TVA's contracting process. More specifically, our contract -related work this reporting period accounted for 84 percent of the audit reports we issued. These 41 contracts-related audits identified over $1?.5 million in questioned costs and $19.8million in funds that could be put to better use.Our investigations have also demonstrated their cost- saving 0otentiai. For example, our investigations of fraudulent workers' compensation claims may ultimately save TVA more than $4.9 million in avoided long- term costs. During the last 6 months, we also referred 54 cases to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution. During this same period. federal prosecutors obtained eight convictions based on our investigationsIn pursuit of our goal to improve TVA, we also identified instances of questionable conduct and needed improvements. However, the shortcomings identified in this report should not be viewed as characteristic of TVA as a whole. To the contrary, many of our conclusions are favorable to TVA management and employees. For example, during this reporting period over half of the allegations we investigated were not substantiated.The dedication of our staff, coupled with the support of Congress, TVA managers, and employees makes possible many of the results documented in this report. We want to continue to make a difference and join others in making TVA the best utility in North America and the most productive and effective agency in the federal government.Sincerely,Norman A. Zigrossi