NCJ Number
68763
Journal
GAO Review Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1980) Pages: 50-61
Date Published
1980
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE HISTORY, ROLE AND FUTURE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S 12 INSPECTOR GENERALS (IG) WHO POLICE THEIR AGENCIES AGAINST FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE.
Abstract
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ACT OF 1978 CONSOLIDATED THE AUDIT AND INVESTIGATIVE UNITS OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, INTERIOR, LABOR, AND TRANSPORTATION; THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, THE COMMUNITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND VETERANS ADMINISTRATION. THE IG'S DUTIES INCLUDE: SUPERVISING AND COORDINATING AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS; INCREASING ECONOMY, EFFICIENCY, AND EFFECTIVENESS; PREVENTING AND DETECTING FRAUD AND ABUSE IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS; AND KEEPING THE DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY HEAD AND CONGRESS INFORMED OF THE IG'S EFFORTS. SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THE PRESIDENTIALLY-APPOINTED IGS FACE ARE TRANSCENDING THE TRADITIONAL PERCEPTION OF THE IG AS A 'SUPERCOP;' DETERMINING WHAT CONCEPTS SHOULD DICTATE THE NEW IG'S OFFICE STRUCTURE; RECEIVING ADEQUATE RESOURCES; DEVELOPING TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR AUDITORS AND INVESTIGATORS; AND OVERCOMING THE RELUCTANCE OF AUDITORS AND INVESTIGATORS TO WORK TOGETHER CLOSELY. MANY IGS INTERVIEWED SAY THEIR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN IN THE ORGANIZATION CHANGES MADE AND IN THE KEY STAFF ADDED. THE IGS TALK ABOUT THEIR INDIVIDUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS; THE BACKGROUNDS OF SEVEN INSPECTOR GENERALS ARE INCLUDED. (KHM)