1 / 21

Recovery Act OIG Perspective

Gain insights into the Office of Inspector General's oversight of USDA Recovery Act programs, funding, and activities. Learn about audit objectives, investigative efforts, and reporting practices.

pdishman
Download Presentation

Recovery Act OIG Perspective

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Recovery ActOIG Perspective Gil H. Harden Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audit Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Agriculture

  2. Objectives • Overview of OIG • OIG’s Recovery Act Responsibilities • USDA Recovery Act Funding • OIG’s Oversight Plan • Results Already Reported • Current Recovery Act Work-in-Process (FNS) • Planned Recovery Act Work (FNS)

  3. OIG Overview • Our Charge • Promote effectiveness and integrity in the delivery of USDA programs • Primary Functions • Audit • Investigations • Structure • Headquarters • Regional Field Offices

  4. Recovery Act Responsibilities • Provide oversight and audit of programs, grants, and activities funded by the Recovery Act and administered by USDA • USDA received more than $28 billion • Loan Levels in excess of $18 billion • Plan developed in February 2009 to guide our oversight efforts • OIG received $22.5 million • Funds available through September 30, 2013

  5. USDA Recovery Funds • Food and Nutrition Service • SNAP Increased Benefits • SNAP State Administrative Expenses • FNS Management and Oversight • The Emergency Food Assistance Program • FDPIR Administrative Expenses • Child Nutrition Equipment Assistance • WIC Management Information System • WIC Contingency Fund

  6. USDA Recovery Funds • Rural Development • Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans • Business Enterprise Grants • Community Facilities Loans & Grants • Direct & Guaranteed Single Family Housing Loans • Water & Waste Loans & Grants • Broadband Loans & Grants

  7. USDA Recovery Funds • Forest Service • Capital Improvements & Maintenance • Wildland Fire Management • Buildings and Facilities • Departmental Administration • Agricultural Research Service

  8. USDA Recovery Funds • Farm Service Agency • Farm Operating Loans • Information Technology • Natural Resource Conservation Service • Watershed and Flood Prevention • Watershed Rehabilitation

  9. USDA Recovery Funds • Agricultural Disaster Assistance • 2008 Transition Assistance • Aquaculture Grants • Foreign Agricultural Service • Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers

  10. OIG’s Oversight Plan • Structured the plan to allow OIG to provide timely and effective oversight • Initiated immediate outreach to the Department • Provided best practices for combating grant fraud • Shared information related to a fraud scheme pertaining to Recovery Act funds

  11. OIG Investigations • Objectives • Preventing and identifying fraud • Initiating timely investigations when potential criminal activity occurs • Responding to whistleblower complaints • Working with U.S. Attorneys and States Attorney General to prosecute violators and seek asset forfeiture where appropriate

  12. OIG Investigations • Phase 1 • Fraud awareness briefings • Computer forensics • National and regional task forces • Liaison with USDA agencies • Hotline • Phase 2 • Assessing results from Phase 1 and opening criminal investigations • Holding entities accountable—prosecution, forfeiture, fines, and sanctions

  13. OIG Audit • Objectives • Programs timely and effectively implemented • Proper internal control established • Participants meet eligibility requirements • Participants comply with program requirements • Agencies establish effective compliance operations

  14. OIG Audit • Phase 1 • Assessed prior recommendations related to Recovery Act funding • Adjusted the scope for certain in-progress work • Expedited the issuance of several audit reports • Reached out to USDA’s Chief Information Officer to discuss data quality • Phase 2 • Design audits to review Recovery Act funds • Review agency Recovery Program Plans • Data Analysis • Phase 3—performance measures

  15. OIG Reporting • Importance of timely and transparent reporting • Assists agency heads and congressional oversight committees • Quick turn-around (“Fast”) reports • Available publicly through Recovery.gov and our website

  16. Results Already Reported • Prior Recommendations • Forest Service • Rural Development • Expedited Reports • Broadband • Flood Control Dams

  17. Results Already Reported • Fast Reports • Housing Loans • Aquaculture • Farm Operating Loans • Water & Waste Disposal Systems • Business & Industry Loans

  18. Work in Process (FNS) • Annual Financial Statements Audit • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program • Increased Benefits—Thrifty Food Plan • Management & Oversight • State Fraud Detection • State Administrative Expenses/Eligibility Requirements

  19. Work in Process (FNS) • The Emergency Food Assistance Program • Equipment Grants • Child Nutrition • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

  20. Work Planned (FNS) • Subsequent phases of current work-in-process, as necessary • WIC Vendor Monitoring and Contingency Funds • WIC Management Information System • Outsourcing of Customer Assistance for SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer

  21. Resources & Contact Information • Recovery.gov • http://www.recovery.gov/ • USDA’s Recovery Page • http://www.usda.gov/recovery • OIG’s Recovery Page • http://www.usda.gov/oig/recovery • OIG Hotline • http://www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm • (800) 424-9121 or (202) 690-1202 (TDD) • My email and phone • gil.harden@oig.usda.gov • (202) 720-5907

More Related