WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, issued the following news release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, issued the following statement after it was announced that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board will establish a Special Committee to oversee the independent review of agency culture. "The FDIC Board has taken appropriate steps so that the oversight of the out  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on Oct. 11, 2023, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 4 of 7) * * * U.S. and Allied Arctic Military Activities In General DOD and the Coast Guard (which is part of the Department of Homeland Security [DHS]) are devoting increased attention to the Arctic in their planning, budgeting, and operations. DOD as a whole, the Army, the N  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47678) on Oct. 25, 2023, entitled "Comparing DHS Component Funding, FY2024: In Brief" by homeland security and appropriations specialist William L. Painter. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 FY2024 DHS Appropriations Overview ... 1 Annual Appropriations ... 1 DHS Budgetary Resources: Beyond the Score ... 3 DHS Appropriations: Comparing Scores ... 10 Emergency-Desi  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47749) on Oct. 11, 2023, entitled "Overview of Continuing Appropriations for FY2024:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Department of Homeland Security/35 Section 101(6) - Authorization Extensions and Supplemental Appropriations for Fee Shortfalls Section 101(6) extends the authorization of three immigration authorities through the duration of the CR. It does so by referencing Title III of  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (TNSrep) -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. DODIG-2023-026) on Nov. 20, 2023, entitled "Navy's Management of the MQ 25 Stingray Program." Here are excerpts: * * * Inspector General (IG) Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released the "Audit of the Navy's Management of the MQ-25 Stingray Program." The report raised concerns regarding critical production decisions that the  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following report on Nov. 16, 2023, entitled "Quarterly Report to Congress on Operation Enduring Sentinel." Here are excerpts: * * * We are pleased to present this Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) report to Congress on Operation Enduring Sentinel (OES). This report discharges our quarterly reporting responsibilities pursuant to section 419 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. In October 2021, the Department of Defens  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following report on Nov. 14, 2023, entitled "Report Of Investigation: Mr. Jacques T. Grimes Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service." Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction and Summary Complaint Origin and Allegation The DoD Hotline received a complaint against Mr. Jacques T. Grimes, Senior Executive Service, then-Director, Commonwealth and Partner Engagement (C&PE), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence &  more

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center issued the following news: By Jim Garamone, DOD News The Defense Department is making progress toward the goal of a clean audit, said Michael J. McCord, the undersecretary of defense comptroller and DOD's chief financial officer. McCord briefed the press yesterday on the results of the massive audit of the department -- the sixth since 2018. Getting a clean audit is crucial so leaders can manage and lead   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The Transportation Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. QC2024007) on Nov. 15, 2023, entitled "Quality Control Review on the Independent Auditor's Report on Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for Fiscal 2023 and 2022." Here are excerpts: * * * What We Looked At We contracted with the independent public accounting firm KPMG LLP to audit the Department of Transportation's (DOT) consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years en  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Transportation Inspector General issued the following audit announcement on Nov. 21, 2023, entitled "Review of Air Carrier Flight Delays and Cancellations:" * * * From: Nelda Z. Smith, Assistant Inspector General for Aviation Audits To: General Counsel, Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics On February 21, 2023, the Office of Inspector General announced a review of air carrier flight delays and cancellations. The objectives of our audit were to (1) identify  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Education Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A23FS0128) on Nov. 16, 2023, entitled "Fiscal 2023 Federal Student Aid Financial Statement Audit." Here are excerpts: * * * To: United States Department of Education - Miguel A. Cardona, Ed.D., Secretary Federal Student Aid - Richard Cordray, Chief Operating Officer Finance Directorate - Mehul Parekh, Chief Financial Officer This publication is in the public domain. Aut  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Education Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A23FS0127) on Nov. 16, 2023, entitled "Fiscal 2023 Financial Statement Audit." Here are excerpts: * * * To: U.S. Department of Education - Miguel A. Cardona, Ed.D., Secretary Office of Finance and Operations - Denise Carter, Delegated the authority to perform the functions and duties of the position of Chief Financial Officer This report is in the public domain. Authoriz  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Education Inspector General issued the following audit report on Nov. 14, 2023, entitled "FY 2024 Management Challenges." Here are excerpts: * * * At a Glance What are Management Challenges? The Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010 defines major management challenges as programs or management functions that are vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and where a failure to perform well could serious  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Education Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. F23AS0141) on Nov. 15, 2023, entitled "Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Audit Resolution Activities." Here are excerpts: * * * TO: Denise L. Carter, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Finance and Operations, and Delegated to Perform the Functions and Duties of the Chief Financial Officer FROM: Bryon S. Gordon, Assistant Inspector General for Audit SUBJECT: Final  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSrep) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following xx-page report (No. 24-N-0008) on Nov. 15, 2023, entitled "Fiscal 2024 Top Management Challenges." Here are excerpts: * * * At A Glance What Are Management Challenges? The Reports Consolidation Act of 2000 requires each inspector general to prepare an annual statement summarizing what the inspector general considers to be "the most serious management and performance challenges facing t  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Parent Child has issued a proposed rule (14 CFR Parts 91, 135and 136), published in the Federal Register on Nov. 21, 2023, entitled "Use of Supplemental Restraint Systems." The proposed rule was issued by Wesley L. Mooty, Acting Deputy Executive Director, Flight Standards Service. COMMENT DEADLINE: January 22, 2024 Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: This proposed rule would prohibit civil aircraft operations conducted with supplemental restraint  more

FAIRCHILD AFB, Washington, Nov. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Airmen assigned to the 92nd and the 141st Air Refueling Wings conducted exercise Titan Fury 24-1 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Nov. 13-17. During the exercise, Airmen demonstrated how various support activities contribute to mobilizing KC-135 Stratotankers at a moment's notice if called upon to support strategic deterrence and other National Defense Strategy priorities. "It's critically important that Fairchild  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 23 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Ryan K. Buchanan, issued the following news release: Jeremy Graves has been sentenced for theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft for stealing identities to file fraudulent Unemployment Insurance ("UI") claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Congress enacted the CARES Act to provide federal funds to assist unemployed workers during a national emergency," said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "Gra  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-06-22-07001) on Nov. 14, 2023, entitled "Kentucky Experienced Challenges in Meeting Federal and State Foster Care Program Requirements During the COVID-19 Pandemic" filed under the Administration for Children and Families. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit In response to the declaration of a public health emergency for COVID-19, the Administr  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-18-23-11300) on Nov. 16, 2023, entitled "Review of Medicare Administrative Contractor Information Security Program Evaluations for Fiscal 2022" filed under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Review The Social Security Act requires that each Medicare administrative contractor (MAC) have its information security   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-09-21-01001) on Nov. 17, 2023, entitled "Some of California's Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Expenditures for Los Angeles County Did Not Comply With Federal and State Requirements" filed under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit In Federal fiscal year 2023, the Substanc  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, joined Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) in introducing the Advancing VA's Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act of 2023, legislation to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) emergency response. "In August, one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history destroyed an entire to  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (TNSrep) -- The Homeland Security Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-06) on Nov. 14, 2023, entitled "Independent Auditors' Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements for FYs 2023 and 2022 and Internal Control over Financial Reporting." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security FROM: Glenn Sklar, Principal Deputy Inspector General SUBJECT: Independent Auditors' Report o  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSrep) -- The Homeland Security Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-03) on Nov. 2, 2023, entitled "Limited-Scope Unannounced Inspection of Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center in Bakersfield, California." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: Patrick J. Lechleitner, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement FROM: Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., Inspector General SUBJECT: Limited-Scope Unannounced Insp  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSrep) -- The Homeland Security Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-05) on Nov. 3, 2023, entitled "Major Management and Performance Challenges." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: The Honorable Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security FROM: Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., Inspector General SUBJECT: Major Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security The Office of Inspector General suppo  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSrep) -- The Homeland Security Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-04) on Nov. 2, 2023, entitled "Results of Unannounced Inspections of CBP Holding Facilities in the Miami Area." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection FROM: Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., Inspector G  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 -- The House Education and the Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-254) on the Department of Labor Succession Act (H.R. 4957), which aims to apply the requirements of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 to a vacancy in the office of the Secretary of Labor. The report was advanced by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, on Oct. 25, 2023. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose H.R. 4957, the Department of Labor Succession Act, amends the Act of April 17, 1946/1/  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Michigan, chairwoman of the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2023: Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) are today opening an investigation into recent reports about toxic workplace culture at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In a letter to FDIC Chair Martin Gr  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs issued the following testimony by Shane Liermann, deputy national legislative director of Disabled American Veterans involving a hearing on Nov. 8, 2023, on legislation impacting service-disabled veterans: * * * Thank you for inviting DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to testify at today's legislative hearing of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. DAV is a c  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs issued the following testimony by Quandrea N. Patterson, associate director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, involving a hearing on Nov. 8, 2023, on legislation on veterans benefits and claims: * * * Chairman Luttrell, Ranking Member Pappas, and members of the subcommittee, on behalf of the men and women of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and its Auxiliary, than  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Houston Urban Area Security Initiative has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The comment was posted on Nov. 8, 2023. The comment was on Docket No. FEMA-02023-0024. Here are excerpts: * * * Simplifying FEMA Preparedness Grants 2023 RFI (Docket ID: FEMA02023-0024) 1. How would you describe the cadence of FEMA preparedness grant programs communication to your stakeholder group? * How often is too often, and how infrequently is too infr  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- An Israeli national pleaded guilty in a conspiracy to launder money and facilitate the illegal entry, harboring and transportation of noncitizens in the United States for the purpose of their employment following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Institute of World Politics issued the following news release: The prestigious Louis DeJoy and Aldona Z. Wos Family Foundation Scholarship has been awarded to three new students in 2023: Peace Ajirotutu, Amanda Clark, and Anders Jensen. Established in 2017 through a generous $1 million gift by Louis DeJoy and Amb. Aldona Wos, this scholarship will be available to exemplary IWP students up to 2027. The Louis DeJoy and Aldona Z. Wos Family Foundation Scholarship provid  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: A federal jury convicted three Texas men yesterday for a $145 million scheme to defraud the Department of Labor through the submission of fraudulent claims for prescription compound creams. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dehshid "David" Nourian, 59, of Plano; and Christopher Rydberg, 47, of Fort Worth, and others conspired to pay Dr. Michael Taba, 59, of McKinney, and other d  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: A federal jury convicted three Texas men yesterday for a $145 million scheme to defraud the Department of Labor through the submission of fraudulent claims for prescription compound creams. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dehshid "David" Nourian, 59, of Plano; and Christopher Rydberg, 47, of Fort Worth, and others conspired to pay Dr. Michael Taba, 59, of McKinney, and other d  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General issued the following report (No. 24-011) on Nov. 21, 2023, entitled "Recommendations Issued by OIG That Were Not Closed as of Sept. 30, 2023." Here are excerpts: * * * EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The attached report contains information about recommendations from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) audits, evaluations, reviews, and other reports that the OIG had not closed as of Septemb  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General issued the following report (No. 24-010) on Nov. 21, 2023, entitled "Review of an Office of Justice Programs Grant Awarded to the United States Institute Against Human Trafficking, Tampa, Florida." Here are excerpts: * * * REVIEW REPORT Objectives The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reviewed a grant awarded in September 2019, by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General issued the following report on Nov. 16, 2023, entitled "Top Management and Performance Challenges 2023." Here are excerpts: * * * Table of Contents Strengthening Public Trust in the U.S. Department of Justice ... 3 Ensuring that the Department is Free from Political Influence ... 3 Protecting Against Employee Misconduct and Strengthening Oversight ... 4 Ensuring Responsible Use of Investigative Authorities ..  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Labor Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 22-24-004-13-001) on Nov. 15, 2023, entitled "Fiscal 2023 Independent Auditors' Report on Consolidated Financial Statements:" * * * To: Acting Secretary and Inspector General, United States Department of Labor Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements Qualified Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Opinion on the Sustainability Financial Statements We have audited the financial sta  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Labor Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-24-002-07-725) on Nov. 17, 2023, entitled "Without an IT Modernization Framework, Agency Is Vulnerable to Inadequate Resource Prioritization for Ensuring Security and Availability of Agency Systems." Here are excerpts: * * * INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT To: Gundeep Ahluwalia, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210 This report presents the re  more

TRENTON, New Jersey, Nov. 23 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Philip R. Sellinger, issued the following news release on Nov. 22, 2023: A Pennsylvania doctor and his wife have admitted their roles in schemes to solicit and receive kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering genetic tests, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Yitzchok "Barry" Kurtzer, 63, and his wife, Robin Kurtzer, 62, both of Monsey, New York, pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District J  more

TRENTON, New Jersey, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Philip R. Sellinger, issued the following news release: A Florida man admitted fraudulently obtaining over $2.4 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) payments, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, announced today. Mohamed A. Awad, 61, of Ocala, Florida, pleaded guilty on Nov. 20, 2023, before Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an informat  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Philip R. Sellinger, issued the following news release: A construction company based in Old Bridge, New Jersey, admitted violating Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, leading to the death of an employee, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Zona Roofing LLC (Zona Roofing), via its owner Yilbert Segura, pleaded guilty on Nov. 20, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jose R. A  more

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, Alexander M.M. Uballez, posted the following news release on Nov. 20, 2023: Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, the Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Inspector General, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General announced today that James Matison pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Matison, 46, o  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSrep) -- The National Science Foundation Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 24-2-002) on Nov. 14, 2023, entitled "Fiscal 2023 and 2022 Financial Statements." Here are excerpts: * * * At a Glance AUDIT OBJECTIVE The Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, as amended, requires that NSF's Inspector General or an independent external auditor, as determined by the Inspector General, audit NSF's financial statements. Under a contract we monitored, Kearne  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General issued the following news on Nov. 20, 2023: Inspector General (IG) Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released the "Audit of the Navy's Management of the MQ-25 Stingray Program." The report raised concerns regarding critical production decisions that the Navy planned to make on the program before sufficient testing and evaluation was complete  more

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Kenneth L. Parker, issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2023: U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker today announced that a Virginia-based tactical gear and equipment company has agreed to pay nearly $2.1 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it failed to comply with the requirements of the Buy American Act ("BAA"), Trade Agreements Act ("TAA") and Berry Amendment when selling textile-based products  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-156-1-R24) on Nov. 20, 2023, entitled "Cambridge Post Office in Cambridge, MD: Delivery Operations." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service's mission is to provide timely, reliable, secure, and affordable mail and package delivery to more than 160 million residential and business addresses across the country. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG)  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-156-2-R24) on Nov. 20, 2023, entitled "Easton Post Office in Easton, MD: Delivery Operations." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service's mission is to provide timely, reliable, secure, and affordable mail and package delivery to more than 160 million residential and business addresses across the country. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) revie  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-155-R24) on Nov. 20, 2023, entitled "Efficiency of Operations at the Eastern Shore Processing and Distribution Facility, Easton, MD." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service needs effective and productive operations to fulfill its mission of providing prompt, reliable, and affordable mail service to the American public. It has a vast transportation network that moves  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-121-R24) on Nov. 15, 2023, entitled "Fiscal 2024 Peak Mailing Season Preparedness." Here are excerpts: * * * Background Each year, increased package volume and operational changes during the peak mailing season (peak season) - Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve -- significantly strain the Postal Service's processing and distribution networks. To help handle this increase, the Postal Se  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-122-R24) on Nov. 15, 2023, entitled "Independent Auditor's Report on Fiscal 2023 Reclassified Financial Statements." Here are excerpts: * * * Opinion on the Reclassified Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying Reclassified Financial Statements of the U.S. Postal Service, which comprises the Government-wide Treasury Account Symbol Adjusted Trial Balance System (GTAS) Reconc  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-156) on Nov. 20, 2023, entitled "Maryland District: Delivery Operations." Here are excerpts: * * * We performed a self-initiated audit at the Eastern Shore Processing and Distribution Facility and four delivery units serviced by the P&DF during the week of September 11, 2023. The delivery units included the Cambridge, Easton, and Salisbury Post Offices. We issued individual reports for   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-156-3-R24) on Nov. 20, 2023, entitled "Salisbury Post Office in Salisbury, MD: Delivery Operations." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service's mission is to provide timely, reliable, secure, and affordable mail and package delivery to more than 160 million residential and business addresses across the country. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG)  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., introduced legislation on Oct. 25, 2023. The text of the bill was released on Nov. 18. H.R. 6047. A bill to require the Postal Service to implement recommendations from the Inspector General of the United States Postal Service for improving identification and notification of undelivered and partially delivered routes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. * * * SECTION 1. Postal service required to implement  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus who was awarded the Humane Society's Humane Horseman of the Year last year, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) and Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16), today led 122 Congressional colleagues in a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging   more

WEST POINT, New York, Nov. 22 -- The U.S. Military Academy issued the following news: By Eric S. Bartelt, PV Managing Editor For 248 years, a time-honored Army tradition has symbolized the transition of command authority through the passing of the unit colors, or guidon, signifying the transfer of organizational responsibilities to the newly appointed commander. During the U.S. Army Garrison West Point Assumption of Command ceremony on Nov. 15 in the Haig Room at Jefferson Library, the mantle  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Small Business Administration Inspector General issued the following report (No. 24-03) on Nov. 15, 2023, entitled "Independent Auditors' Report on Fiscal 2023 Financial Statements:" * * * TO: Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator FROM: Hannibal "Mike" Ware, Inspector General SUBJECT: Independent Auditors' Report on SBA's Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Statements (Report 24-03) I am pleased to present the attached independent auditors' report on the U.S. Sm  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 -- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued the following testimony by Jeff Rezmovic, President Biden's nominee to be CFO of the Homeland Security Department, at a Nov. 2, 2023, confirmation hearing: * * * Chairman Peters, Ranking Member Paul, and Distinguished Members of the Committee. It is an honor to appear before you today as the President's nominee to serve as the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS or the Department) Chief Financial   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) emergency response. The Senators' Advancing VA's Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act of 2023 would improve VA's response to n  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) emergency response. The Senators' Advancing VA's Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act of 2023 would improve VA's response to natural disasters, pandemics, and other emerg  more

QUANTICO, Virginia, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command issued the following news release: United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson and Purdue University announced a pre-suit settlement resolving allegations that an associate professor of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology in Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine falsified documentation provided to the National Institutes of Health and Department of the Army. The university will pay the government $737,391, to resolve alleg  more

WOODLAWN, Maryland, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a nine-page letter (No. 152308) on November 14, 2023, regarding financial reporting for fiscal 2023: * * * To: The Honorable Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security The Office of the Inspector General contracted with the independent certified public accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP to audit: (1) the Social Security Administration's (SSA) consolidated financial s  more

WOODLAWN, Maryland, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a 25-page audit report (No. 142307) on Sept. 26, 2023, entitled "Digital Identity in my Social Security." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM To: Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner From: Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General Subject: Digital Identity in my Social Security The attached final report summarizes the results of our review. The objective was to determine whether the   more

WOODLAWN, Maryland, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a 22-page audit report (No. A-06-21-51020) on Sept. 26, 2023, entitled "Follow-up Review of Self-employment Earnings Removed from the Master Earnings File." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM To: Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner From: Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General Subject: Follow-up Review of Self-employment Earnings Removed from the Master Earnings File The attached   more

WOODLAWN, Maryland, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a 14-page audit report (No. 142309) entitled "Ransomware Prevention and Response." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM To: Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner From: Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General Subject: Ransomware Prevention and Response The attached final report summarizes Ernst & Young LLP's (Ernst & Young) review of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) ransomwa  more

WOODLAWN, Maryland, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a 13-page audit report (No. 142311) on Sept. 26, 2023, entitled "Security of the Web Identification, Authentication and Access Control Systems." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM To: Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner From: Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General Subject: Security of the Web Identification, Authentication, and Access Control Systems The attached final report sum  more

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney, Jaime Esparza, for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2023: A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment charging a San Antonio man with 11 counts related to wire fraud and money laundering. According to court documents, James Michael Bergeron, 42, allegedly devised a scheme to secure funds made available through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (  more

DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Leigha Simonton, issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2023: Two individuals were charged with submitting fraudulent claims for corticosteroid injections and other services that were not performed and unlawfully distributing hydrocodone, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Drs. Desi Barroga, 51, and Deno Barroga, 51, were indicted on November 14th on one count each of  more

QUETTA, Pakistan, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2023: Today in Quetta, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald A. Blome unveiled four important initiatives to bolster the capabilities of Pakistani law enforcement in their efforts to safeguard local communities. * Anti-Terrorist Force Training Facility Expansion: A $4 million assistance package will facilitate the expansion of Balochistan Police's Anti-Terrorist Force training facility, doublin  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on Nov. 22, 2023: A Worcester man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for possessing cocaine intended for distribution and wire fraud with respect to COVID-19 relief programs. Augustus "Bobo" Kormah, 33, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 131 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Kormah was al  more

SAN DIEGO, California, Nov. 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California issued the following news release: Eduard Ghiocel and his wife, Floarea Ghiocel, were sentenced in federal court today to 36 months and 30 months, respectively, for laundering $1.4 million in proceeds from dozens of grand thefts, robberies and swindles targeting mostly elderly victims in San Diego County. According to their plea agreements, the Ghiocels, along with co-conspirators Gabriel   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Agriculture Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 11301-0001-23) on Sept. 29, 2023, entitled "Agreed-Upon Procedures - Employee Benefits, Withholdings, Contributions and Supplemental Semiannual Headcount Reporting Submitted to the Office of Personnel Management for Fiscal Year 2023." Here are excerpts: * * * OBJECTIVES To assist OPM in assessing the reasonableness of retirement, health benefits, and life insurance withholdings and contri  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Agriculture Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 10403-0006-11) on Nov. 8, 2023, entitled "Natural Resources Conservation Service's Financial Statements for Fiscal 2023 and 2022." Here are excerpts: * * * TO: Terry Cosby, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service ATTN: Lucas Castillo, Chief Financial Officer, Farm Production and Conservation Business Center; Gary Weishaar, Branch Chief for the External Audits and Investigations Divi  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Agriculture Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 85401-0014-11) on Nov. 8, 2023, entitled "Rural Development's Financial Statements for Fiscal 2023 and 2022." Here are excerpts: * * * To: Roger Glendenning, Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development Attn: Tony Bainbridge, Chief Financial Officer, Rural Development From: Janet Sorensen, Assistant Inspector General for Audit Subject: Rural Development's Financial Statements for Fiscal Ye  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: "Vertical integration in the drug supply chain is raising prescription drug costs, which are already far too high, while undermining Congress' intent of improving health care quality." Washington, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) sent a letter to Christi Grimm, Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, urging her to determ  more