Thirty years after Congress directed an audit of the Department of Defense (DoD), in 2018, it has finally come to fruition - and the results aren't great. Though the DoD did not expect to pass the audit, auditors identified over 2,000 problems. "We never thought we were going to pass an audit, … Read more about The Pentagon Audit: Three Decades Later
GAO Saves Taxpayers Over $75 Billion in 2018
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) helps the federal government run more efficiently and effectively. This year, the work of GAO helped save taxpayers over $75 billion —a return of about $124 on every dollar invested in GAO. Savings areas included revising spending limits for Medicaid … Read more about GAO Saves Taxpayers Over $75 Billion in 2018
Small Business Administration’s Grant Programs Are At Risk Of Funds Not Being Used For Their Intended Purpose and Not Achieving Program Objectives
The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) found "systemic issues" with SBA's grant programs. Specifically, financial and performance oversight. According to the report, SBA did not enforce financial reporting requirements and did not ensure grant recipients provided … Read more about Small Business Administration’s Grant Programs Are At Risk Of Funds Not Being Used For Their Intended Purpose and Not Achieving Program Objectives
SNAP Rooting Out Fraud With Data Analytics, But Challenges Remain
To help reduce the risk of SNAP (Food Stamps) fraud, states are using data analytics, including data matching and data mining, to identify patterns or trends indicative of fraud. Advantages include automated fraud detection and the ability to prioritize cases most likely involving fraud. "For … Read more about SNAP Rooting Out Fraud With Data Analytics, But Challenges Remain
Postal Retirees Fund is Going Broke
GAO reports that the "financial outlook of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund (RHB Fund) is poor." The fund has $62 billion in unfunded liabilities and only $50 billion in assets. According to GAO's projections, the fund will be depleted by 2030 - impacting 500,000 postal … Read more about Postal Retirees Fund is Going Broke
HUD Paid Almost $500 Million For Unnecessary Preforeclosure Claim Interest
A preforeclosure sale allows an FHA borrower in default to sell his or her home at fair market value and use the sales proceeds to satisfy the mortgage debt, even if the proceeds are less than the amount owed. After the property is sold, lenders submit an FHA insurance claim and are compensated for … Read more about HUD Paid Almost $500 Million For Unnecessary Preforeclosure Claim Interest
EPA Paid $14.5 Million To Foreign Fellows That Could Have Gone To U.S. Citizens
Over the past 11 years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted 166 fellows at EPA laboratories under co-op agreements awarded to the National Academy of Scientists (NAS). 107 of those were foreign nationals. According to the report, when directly awarding awards, the EPA requires … Read more about EPA Paid $14.5 Million To Foreign Fellows That Could Have Gone To U.S. Citizens
Urgent Actions Are Needed to Address Cybersecurity Challenges Facing the Nation
GAO has included cybersecurity on its biannual high-risk list and is concerned with the increasing cyber-based threats and the persistent nature of security vulnerabilities. GAO has made over 3000 recommendations to federal agencies to address the cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Over 1000 remain … Read more about Urgent Actions Are Needed to Address Cybersecurity Challenges Facing the Nation