FEDERAL AGENCIES CAN, AND SHOULD DO MORE TO COMBAT FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS - REPORT TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES

• NCJ Number: 51166
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 121 pages
• Corporate Author: US Comptroller General
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; US Government Accountability Office
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPORT TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL

Annotation

THE PASSIVE EFFORTS TAKEN BY VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES TO DETECT FRAUD IN THEIR PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT MUST TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE.

Abstract

A REVIEW OF FEDERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FINDS THAT THEY AMOUNT TO ABOUT $250 BILLION ANNUALLY AND ARE VULNERABLE TARGETS OF FRAUD AND RELATED WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES. THEY ARE EXPLOITED THOUGH FALSE CLAIMS FOR BENEFITS AND SERVICES, FALSE STATEMENTS FOR GOODS, BRIBERY OR CORRUPTION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS, FALSE PAYMENTS, AND VARIOUS TYPES OF COLLUSION INVOLVING CONTRACTORS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN HELPING AGENCIES IDENTIFY AND PROSECUTE FRAUD. A SERIES OF ACCOUNTING AND CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUGGESTED. INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES ARE URGED TO MAKE FRAUD DETECTION AND INVESTIGATION A PRIORITY ITEM. PROMPT FOLLOWUP SHOULD BE ASSURED WHEN EMPLOYEES REPORT FRAUD. AN OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL IS RECOMMENDED FOR ALL FEDERAL PROGRAMS. APPENDIXES PRESENT REPLIES AND PLANS FOR COMBATING FRAUD SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION, AGRICULTURE, AND JUSTICE AND FROM THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, AND THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.