The Emergency Witness Assistance Program
Report Number I-2001-002

OIG'S ANALYSIS OF EOUSA'S RESPONSE

On February 9, 2001, the Inspections Division sent copies of the draft report to the Director, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA). We addressed four recommendations to EOUSA concerning the management and implementation of the Emergency Witness Assistance Program (EWAP). The EOUSA responded to the recommendations on March 12, 2001. Our analysis of EOUSA's response follows.

Recommendation Number:

1. Resolved-Closed. The EOUSA concurred with the recommendation to assist the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) in addressing the USAO's unique witness needs. The EOUSA has been working with the USAO-DC to identify alternative ways to help witnesses and to determine whether the EWAP should be expanded. No further action is required for this recommendation.

2. Resolved-Closed. The EOUSA concurred with the recommendation to ensure that performance goals, performance measures, and associated data collection requirements are established and implemented for the EWAP. The EOUSA will convene a working group to develop the goals, measurements, and data requirements for the EWAP. No further action is required for this recommendation.

3. Resolved-Closed. The EOUSA concurred with the recommendation to ensure that EWAP data collected from the USAOs is timely and accurate and analyzed in relation to the program's performance measures. The EOUSA working group for the EWAP will also ensure that the data collected assesses the program's effectiveness. No further action is required for this recommendation.

4. Resolved-Closed. The EOUSA concurred with the recommendation to ensure that the USAOs have implemented procedures for managing EWAP funds according to EOUSA guidelines and local EWAP plans. However, the EOUSA did not agree with our conclusion that program and financial controls were lacking. The EOUSA stated that stringent controls are in place through its Evaluation and Review Program and that EWAP credit card bills are monitored by the EWAP Program Manager for timely payment. The EOUSA will improve its controls by developing an internal review process to ensure the Program Manager's records are reconciled with the Department's Financial Management Information System (FMIS).

We recognize the improvements that the EOUSA has made to the Evaluation and Review Program. The establishment of "Red Flags" as indicators of problems is an innovation that should help EOUSA and the USAOs to strengthen their program and financial management. We also recognize the efforts of the EWAP Program Manager to monitor EWAP credit card accounts and to reconcile EWAP expenditure data between the USAOs' EWAP forms and FMIS entries. The new internal review process should facilitate these ongoing efforts. No further action is required for this recommendation.