Requests Data From Watchdog on Progress of Investigations, Referrals, and Abuse
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Mark Pryor today requested updated information on investigations and misconduct associated with the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
In a letter to Earl Devaney, Chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, Pryor asked for progress on investigations of potential waste, fraud, or abuse reported; names of the Inspectors General that have received the Board’s referrals; data developed regarding scam artists relative to the Recovery Act funds; and a description of the analytical tools and personnel used to investigate fraud. In September, Devaney reported having referred more than 100 matters to Inspectors General for further investigation.
“Taxpayers made an unprecedented investment to strengthen the U.S. economy, and this trust should be met with strong transparency and accountability to ensure Recovery Act funds are not squandered,” Pryor said. “Every dollar wasted or siphoned off by criminals is money not spent on creating jobs.”
Below is the full text of Pryor’s letter:
December 21, 2009
The Honorable Earl E. Devaney
Chairman
Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board
Washington, DCDear Chairman Devaney:
As Chairman of the Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board, you are responsible for coordinating oversight and accountability of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. President Obama promised taxpayers that your Board would provide unprecedented transparency and accountability in monitoring how the recovery act funds were awarded and distributed to prevent waste, fraud and abuse. You have worked with federal agencies, Inspectors General, and state and local governments to battle fraud, waste and abuse involving recovery funds. I am encouraged by reports of the Board’s efforts to establish an early warning system for those grants and contracts that are deemed high-risk and that encourages citizens and whistleblowers to report possible wrongdoing through the Board’s website and by other means. I would like to receive further information on your progress in this area.
In testimony before Congress you indicated that as a result of information received or generated by the Board you have referred over 100 cases of potential waste, fraud, or abuse. I presume that these cases have been referred to the appropriate departmental Inspector General or other Federal entities for further investigation and possible administrative sanctions or prosecution. In this regard I would request the following additional information:
1. Regarding the referrals your office has made to Inspectors General or other entities please provide the total number of referrals that have been made to date.
2. Please identify the Inspectors General or other entities that have received referrals and provide the number of referrals received by each and when such referrals were made.
3. Please provide any data or observation you have developed regarding the activities of so-called scam artists relative to Recovery Act funds.
4. Briefly describe the Board’s use of analytical tools and personnel to assist your investigative staff with risk-based predictions about potential fraud.
My staff will follow-up with your office in order to respond to questions about this request.
Taxpayers made an unprecedented investment to strengthen the U.S. economy, and this trust should be met with strong transparency and accountability to ensure Recovery Act funds are not squandered. Every dollar wasted or siphoned off by criminals is money not spent on creating jobs.
I look forward to receiving your response by January 8, 2010.
Sincerely,
Mark L. Pryor
