Impact Magazine June 2011 - Office of Inspector General - U.S. ...

From the Inspector General
IMPACT Magazine • June 2011
I am very pleased to have this opportunity to report in detail to the
Department, the Congress, other stakeholders, and the American public on
the signifcant investigations conducted by DOT-OIG special agents.
Like all Offces of Inspector General, we issue Semiannual Reports
to Congress, which discuss our audit and investigative accomplishments
and provide statistical performance data. Space does not permit us in the
Semiannual Reports to discuss the stories behind our investigations.
To understand the full impact of our investigative work on
Department programs and the American public, we thought it was
important to share with you our work in this, the frst edition of, IMPACT
magazine. We also believe strongly in public education to prevent fraud,
particularly in the area of household goods schemes. We hope you fnd this
publication informative.
What Sets DOT OIG Apart
DOT-OIG Offce of Investigations has special agents in offces
across the Nation who work closely with Department regulators and law
enforcement partners to develop criminal cases against violators of Federal
transportation laws. Like all OIGs, we are responsible for conducting
internal investigations concerning Department programs and operations. In
addition, DOT-OIG special agents are called upon to investigate criminal
activity involving transportation safety violations where death or serious
bodily injury has occurred or is likely to occur if enforcement action is
not taken. DOT-OIG special agents are also called upon to investigate
grant fraud cases involving billions in transportation grants for airports,
highways, bridges, rail systems, and other critical infrastructure projects. In
FY 2010, DOT-OIG special agents were responsible for 92 indictments, 72
convictions, and over $18 million in fnancial recoveries.
We focus on those matters that have the greatest direct impact on
Department programs and operations, and particularly those matters where
regulatory enforcement action has been or would be ineffective. Our four
investigative imperatives are transportation safety, grant and procurement
fraud, employee integrity, and consumer and workforce fraud.
The unique nature of our mission, coupled with a talented
and motivated workforce, is what truly the sets DOT-OIG Offce of
Investigations apart.
Calvin Scovel III
Inspector General
Department of Transportation
Timothy M. Barry
Principal Assistant Inspector
General for Investigations
Department of Transportation
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