Semiannual Report to Congress

Our Office of Audit and Evaluation issued reports related to the census, cybersecurity, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite programs, broadband programs, and financial management. We made 38 recommendations that, if implemented, will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Department operations. Our Office of Investigations (OI) continues to identify opportunities to strengthen integrity by identifying areas that are susceptible to fraud, waste, and abuse. For example, during this reporting period, a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) employee agreed to pay $500,000 in a civil settlement to resolve conflict of interest allegations arising from one of our investigations. And in a second example, a joint investigation between the FBI and OIG resulted in a contractor pleading guilty of making false statements related to a scheme to defraud federal programs.