NCJ Number
63690
Journal
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT Volume: 84 Issue: 26 Dated: (JULY 3, 1978) Pages: 27-31
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE REPORTS ON THE KINDS OF FRAUDS FOUND IN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, THE AGENCIES INVOLVED, AND THE PROPOSED SOLUTIONS WITH EXAMPLES DRAWN FROM ACTUAL SITUATIONS.
Abstract
REVELATIONS ABOUT FRAUD AND WASTE IN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BRINGS DEMANDS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW AND ADHERENCE TO FEDERAL STANDARDS. FRAUD HAS INCLUDED PAYMENTS FOR WORK NOT DONE, KICKBACKS, MISUSE OF FUNDS, RECEIVING OF UNAUTHORIZED FUNDS, USE OF FUNDS FOR UNAUTHORIZED PURPOSES, WELFARE FRAUD, MISDIRECTED DISASTER AID, SLUSH FUNDS, BRIBERY, AND OTHER ABUSES. AGENCIES INVOLVED IN FRAUD INCLUDE THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA), DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE (HEW), THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, (SBA), AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD). TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT IS SEEN AS ONE WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS CORRUPTION, ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE ANTICORRUPTION WORK IS NOW AD HOC, WITH LITTLE DIRECTION FROM THE TOP. REMEDIAL MEASURES INCLUDE: TIGHTER SUPERVISION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, BETTER AUDITING PROCEDURES, USE OF COMPUTERS TO TRACK DOWN ILLEGAL TAPPING OF PUBLIC FUNDS, HIRING OF PRIVATE COLLECTION AGENCIES TO REGAIN DIVERTED MONEY, PERSISTENT EFFORTS TO DETECT FRAUD, AND AUTHORITY FOR AGENCY INVESTIGATORS TO ACT WHEN FRAUD IS DISCOVERED. PROPOSED LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD GIVE POWER TO INVESTIGATORS, AND PROTECT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHO SPEAK UP ABOUT OBSERVED ABUSE IS BRIEFLY SUMMARIZED. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)