Watchdogs

Federal Watchdogs | Federal Times


  • IG: DHS data inaccurate for nearly $2B in transactions
    IG: DHS data inaccurate for nearly $2B in transactions

    The Department of Homeland Security needs to achieve greater spending data accuracy, a recent DATA Act-mandated test of the department’s Q2 FY2017 procurement and financial award transactions found.

  • IG to probe FEMA contracts to tiny firm
    IG to probe FEMA contracts to tiny firm

    The Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog is investigating how a fledgling Florida company won more than $30 million in contracts for desperately needed disaster relief supplies in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

  • EPA chief sweeps office for bugs, installs high-tech locks
    EPA chief sweeps office for bugs, installs high-tech locks

    The head of the Environmental Protection Agency used public money to have his office swept for hidden listening devices and bought sophisticated biometric locks for additional security.

  • Interior chief spent more than $53K on 3 helicopter trips
    Interior chief spent more than $53K on 3 helicopter trips

    Newly released records show Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke spent more than $53,000 on three helicopter trips this summer, including one that allowed him to return to Washington in time for a horseback ride with Vice President Mike Pence.

  • Chinese drone maker denies giving data to government
    Chinese drone maker denies giving data to government

    The world’s biggest maker of commercial drones is denying claims in a U.S. government document circulated online that it gives Beijing information about American law enforcement and utility companies. The U.S. military suspended use of the drones in August.

  • DoD continues to get poor marks for cyber incident response
    DoD continues to get poor marks for cyber incident response

    A new Government Accountability Office report found the Department of Defense still has work to do when it comes to roles, responsibilities and training as it pertains to support national cyber incidents.

  • Special Counsel: VA doctor violated Hatch Act while campaigning
    Special Counsel: VA doctor violated Hatch Act while campaigning

    The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has filed a complaint for disciplinary action against a Veterans Affairs doctor for 15 counts of violations against the Hatch Act.

  • Despite intentions, DHS foreign textile restrictions are weak in effect
    Despite intentions, DHS foreign textile restrictions are weak in effect

    A 2009 measure intended to boost the American textile industry is limited in its influence, the Government Accountability Office found.

  • Interior denies wrongdoing involving Zinke’s wife, travel
    Interior denies wrongdoing involving Zinke’s wife, travel

    The Department of Interior denied any wrongdoing Monday after documents surfaced showing government staffers were forced to scramble to accommodate requests from Secretary Ryan Zinke’s wife as she accompanied him on trips outside of Washington D.C.

  • Inspecting the work of inspectors general
    Inspecting the work of inspectors general

    Feeling that there is a case for inspector general offices to have a greater impact in improving the government, a brief written by the Partnership for Public Service and Grant Thornton Public Sector outlines some recommendations.