DOD Fraud Hotline: Generally Effective but Some Changes Needed
AFMD-86-9
Published: Mar 21, 1986. Publicly Released: Mar 21, 1986.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the efficiency of the Department of Defense (DOD) Fraud Hotline as a means of receiving and processing allegations of waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DOD, focusing on: (1) the adequacy of Hotline procedures for receiving, recording, and referring allegations for investigation; (2) the independence of investigators working on Hotline allegations; (3) the completeness and thoroughness of the investigative work; and (4) the extent of Hotline staff efforts to review and analyze completed investigative report findings for possible patterns, trends, and systematic weaknesses in DOD programs and operations.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | To ensure that DOD Hotline allegations are being investigated independently, objectively, and thoroughly, the Secretary of Defense should reemphasize to the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force the need to ensure that: (1) DOD Hotline allegations are investigated by individuals who are independent and objective; and (2) investigations are properly documented and thoroughly reported. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD revised DOD Directive 7050.1 to implement this recommendation.
|
| Office of the Inspector General of the Army | The Inspector General (IG), DOD, should revise DOD Directive 7050.1 to provide the services with better guidance on the types of documents and evidence, which should be obtained and kept in Hotline-type investigative case files, and enforce the requirements and standards contained in Directive 7050.1, as revised. For example, IG could establish a process to periodically perform a quality assurance review on selected closed investigations to: (1) evaluate compliance with DOD standards and requirements; and (2) ensure that promised corrective actions have occurred. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD revised DOD Directive 7050.1 to implement this recommendation.
|
| Office of the Inspector General of the Army | OIG should consider analyzing the information contained in the Hotline computerized database. Analysis could focus attention on particular problems warranting review and may identify apparent chronic delays in completing investigations, repeated requests that work be redone, and inconsistencies between the services' handling of Hotline allegations. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD revised DOD Directive 7050.1 to implement this recommendation.
|
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Topics
FraudInspectors generalInternal controlsInvestigations by federal agenciesInvestigations into federal agenciesProgram managementReporting requirementsMilitary forcesFraud, Waste and AbuseQuality assurance