IEC Journal

Federal Eye

The Washington Post's Federal Eye blog reports on the Federal Government, including this post on the latest developments concerning Inspectors General.

AmeriCorps IG Updates

Talking Point Memo provides continuing updates on the controversy over the firing of AmeriCorps IG Gerald Walpin.

Obama Ousts Top AmeriCorps IG

Time magazine reports on the President's decision to fire IG Gerald Walpin. TPM Muckraker gives its perspective.  ABC's Jake Tapper provides details on the firing.

IG Independence Allegations

The Washington Post reports that Senator Grassley and his staff are looking into allegations of infringement on Inspector General independence at some federal agencies.

DOD Inspector General Withdraws Report on Retired Officers

Today's New York Times reports in part:

In a highly unusual reversal, the Defense Department’s inspector general’s office has withdrawn a report it issued in January exonerating a Pentagon public relations program that made extensive use of retired officers who worked as military analysts for television and radio networks.

Donald M. Horstman, the Pentagon’s deputy inspector general for policy and oversight, said in a memorandum released on Tuesday that the report was so riddled with flaws and inaccuracies that none of its conclusions could be relied upon. In addition to repudiating its own report, the inspector general’s office took the additional step of removing the report from its Web site.

POGO Advocates IG Reforms

Government Executive has an article discussing a Project on Government Oversight report on possible Inspector General community reforms. The Washington Post also had a story on the report. The Post story concludes on a positive note:

Despite its criticisms, POGO gives generally favorable reviews to their overall mission and culture.

"This is not a broken system, but we do think there are new ways of thinking about IGs," said POGO Executive Director Danielle Brian. "Everyone recognizes the importance of the job."

Controversy Over IGs & Stimulus Bill

The Washington Post reports on a controversy over a provision in the Recovery Act. Some Inspectors General are complaining that a provision in the Recovery Act that allows an oversight board to request IGs to stop particular investigations is susceptible to abuse. Others see no problem, as the bill provides that the IG retains the power to make the final decision, subject only to the requirement that they explain to Congress their reasons for rejecting the request.

Edited March 5 to correct typo.

UF Professor accused of NASA Grant Fraud

Federal investigators allege that 59 year old Samim Anghaie, a professor at the University of Florida, and three of his family members fraudulently received millions of dollars from NASA and then laundered money to personal bank accounts, court documents show.  Full story at:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090226/NEWS01/902260317/1006/news01

For more information on this alleged fraud:

http://www.mahalo.com/Samim_Anghaie

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/25/professor.raid/index.html

Respect for IG Concept Grows

Senator Grassley (R-IA) recently introduced the “Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2009” (S. 220), which would create an office of inspector general for the Judiciary.  Coming along with the enhanced authorities in the IG Reform Act of 2008, and the creation of IGs for Iraq, Afghanistan and the TARP financial bailout, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Congressional respect for the IG concept is increasing.

Disciplinary Actions at DOI

The Denver Post reports that multiple employees of the Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service's royalties- in-kind unit have been administratively disciplined as the result of conflicts of interest discovered by the agency's Inspector General and reported here in September. The Minerals Management Service withheld details due to the Privacy Act.