From the Desk of Inspector General
Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D.
It is once again my pleasure to share the latest edition of the DHS OIG Congressional Bulletin. This February 2025 edition provides a snapshot of published DHS OIG audit and inspection reports, new projects initiated, and investigative outcomes during the period October 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025.
In the first few months of Fiscal Year 2025, my office has reported more than $9 Billion in questioned costs and funds put to better use. In January, we published OIG-25-13, FEMA’s Insufficient Oversight of COVID-19 Emergency Protective Measures Grants Led to Over $8.1 Billion in Questioned Costs and $1.5 Billion in Over-obligated Funds.
We also published OIG-25-04, Major Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security (MMPC). In this report, OIG identified four overarching challenges at the Department — transparency, accountability, efficiency, and sustainability — that reflect vulnerabilities affecting a broad spectrum of programs, operations, and responsibilities. We aligned the overarching major management challenges with the Department’s seven strategic missions and 12 cross-functional priorities. We described potential risks associated with each of the four challenges and summarized actions the Department has taken, is taking, or needs to take to further address these foundational challenges, including the status of previous OIG recommendations.
DHS OIG Investigations teams continue to make significant impact, with key involvement in cases that have led to individuals being indicted and sentenced. These cases include federal law enforcement agents involved in drug distribution conspiracies and incidents of border corruption. Additionally, our teams remain focused on pandemic-related fraud, including that involving correctional officers.
Our Semiannual Report to Congress (SAR) for the period of April 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024, was submitted to the Department on October 31, 2024 and the Department distributed the SAR to Congress on January 16, 2025. During the SAR period, DHS OIG issued 45 audit and inspection reports and 140 recommendations to promote economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity in the Department’s programs and operations. Our investigative efforts during the SAR period resulted in $7,112,354.01 in recoveries, restitution, and fines. The SAR also includes summaries of the Department’s delays and denials of OIG’s access to the Department’s information, including 16 instances where data access issues directly impacted our statutory obligations.
I am grateful for the dedicated career employees at DHS OIG. Together, our team remains committed to independent oversight and strengthening DHS’s ability to protect the American public, while promoting the highest standard of excellence, integrity, efficiency, and accountability within the Department of Homeland Security.
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