NCJ Number
98803
Date Published
1984
Length
72 pages
Annotation
This report provides a 5-year summary of the General Accounting Office (GAO) hotline operation, including number and types of calls and allegations, and its effectiveness in identifying fraud, waste, and mismanagement in Federal programs.
Abstract
From its inception in January 1979 through January of 1984, the hotline received over 53,000 calls from every State and referred over 10,600 allegations to agency inspectors general or other investigative units. About 1,100 allegations were substantiated. In addition, there were 398 other allegations in which the specific charge was not substantiated but action was taken to prevent or minimize future improper activities. The remaining calls did not warrant investigation for various reasons. Allegations involving non-Federal matters were directed to the appropriate local or State agency. The hotline referrals have identified an estimated $20 million in misspent Federal funds, with a projected savings of another $24 million. These estimates are derived from only 20 percent of substantiated allegations. Allegations involved the funds of all executive branch agencies and many other Federal agencies. Over half of the allegations were referred to the Social Security Administration, the Department of Defense, Internal Revenue Service, or the Department of Health and Human Services for further investigation. Allegations involved cases of waste, extortion, embezzlement, pension and social security fraud, conflict of interest, and other criminal violations. In most substantiated cases, administrative actions have been taken against employees, contractors, and others. Summaries of specific hotline allegations are presented by Government agency, together with summaries of substantiated allegations. Tabular data also are provided.