PandemicOversight.gov

New from the PRAC

New Report on Federal Contracting During the Pandemic

We looked into businesses that got federal contracts during the pandemic. Some didn't have to compete for them and others we'd never done
business with.

These first-time federal contractors were awarded $4.4 billion in
contracts. Read the report to find out how much of this was
"deobligated," or cancelled.

PRAC Chair Michael Horowitz testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on the government's response to COVID-19

"Oversight of a program of this magnitude takes a monumental and whole-of-government effort."

Watch the testimony here.

In the News

NBC News, Government has forgiven nearly $400 billion in COVID relief PPP loans, federal watchdogs say.

"The federal government has forgiven $394.6 billion in more than 4 million loans to businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, according to new data published by a group of internal federal watchdogs."

Chicago Tribune, Illinois’ unemployment agency has another fraud problem: Thieves ‘hijacking’ people’s payments

"In account hijacking, qualified people start getting their benefits and then somebody, somehow, directs that cash elsewhere."

ProPublica, How Unemployment Insurance Fraud Exploded During the Pandemic

"Fraudsters have filed in high volumes, sometimes obtaining payments from multiple states, despite the fact that a jobless person is barred from getting assistance in more than one state."

Activities by Our Partners

Department of Education OIG Issues New Fraud Guide

The new guide summarizes the fraud reporting requirements most relevant to entities receiving pandemic relief funds and auditors of those entities.

Department of Transportation OIG: Two Sentenced For PPP Loan Application Fraud Involving Trucking Company

Around April and May 2020, the two individuals made false statements on a loan application for $210,000 under the Paycheck Protection Program. The applicants failed to disclose one individual’s federal indictment and entry into a felony drug possession pretrial diversion agreement on the loan application.

Performance Audit of King County, WA COVID-19 Response

"We reviewed several areas of the County’s response
and found both encouraging outcomes and opportunities to learn,
build on experience, and adjust for future emergencies."

Save the Date

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2021
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:15 PM (EST)
Platform: Zoom Gov

Join us on August 12th for a webinar about how underserved communities were impacted by pandemic assistance funds. We'll have experts from the Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, and the White House to share lessons learned and what we need to know to support communities in the next crisis.

Register here.

Our August 12th event is a co-sponsored activity does not constitute or imply an endorsement of NAPA or any of its products or services by the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, CIGIE, or the United States government.

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