Semiannual Report to Congress

April 1, 2010 – September 30, 2010
Office of the Inspector General


Other Department Components
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Civil Rights Division

Ongoing Work

Enforcement of Civil Rights Laws by the Voting Section

The OIG is reviewing the enforcement of civil rights laws by the Voting Section of the Department’s Civil Rights Division. The review is examining the types of cases brought by the Voting Section and any changes in the types of cases over time; any changes in Voting Section enforcement policies or procedures over time; whether the Voting Section has enforced the civil rights laws in a non-discriminatory manner; and whether any Voting Section employees have been harassed for participating in the investigation or prosecution of particular matters.


Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Reports Issued

Audits of COPS Grants

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) awards grants to state, local, territory, and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire and train community policing professionals, acquire and deploy crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test policing strategies. In this section, we discuss our audits of grantees who have received COPS grants through funds appropriated through the regular process. We discuss our work related to COPS’ oversight of grant funds awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in a separate section in this semiannual report.

One COPS grant program is its Technology Program, which is designed to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies procure technology that enhances their ability to share information with regional, state, and federal partners. During this reporting period, the OIG audited grantees who received technology awards from COPS. The purpose of our audits was to determine whether the costs reimbursed under the grants were allowable, supported, and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and terms and conditions of the grant. The following are examples of findings from OIG audits of COPS Technology Program grants issued during this reporting period. 

Investigations

The following is an example of a case handled by the OIG’s Investigation Division during this reporting period:

Criminal Division

Report Issued

Equitable Sharing Audits

Under the Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program, state and local law enforcement agencies receive equitable sharing assets when participating directly with the Department’s law enforcement components in joint investigations that lead to the seizure or forfeiture of cash and property. Equitable sharing revenues represent a share of the proceeds from the forfeiture of assets seized in the course of certain criminal investigations. To be eligible for equitable sharing proceeds, law enforcement agencies must submit a request within 60 days of an asset seizure.

During this reporting period, the OIG examined the use of equitable sharing revenues by the Berwyn Police Department in Berwyn, Illinois. The Berwyn Police Department received $654,681 in equitable sharing revenues from January 2006 through April 2009 to support law enforcement operations. Our audit found deficiencies in the Berwyn Police Department’s management of equitable sharing funds resulting in over $1 million in questioned costs. Specifically, we identified unallowable expenditures by the Police Department for non-law enforcement purposes, such as charitable donations and banquets, and some expenditures that were not supported with adequate receipts or invoices. In addition, we questioned over $800,000 in equitable sharing funds used to purchase police department vehicles from FYs 2001 through 2009 because such use represented a replacement of funds required for standard operations rather than an enhancement of law enforcement operations. We also found weaknesses in the Berwyn Police Department’s overall internal control environment, particularly related to separation of duties; errors in its required annual certification reports; and errors and omissions in the property management records. In addition, the Berwyn Police Department failed to report accurate equitable sharing receipts for purposes of single audit requirements for FYs 2006 and 2007. The report made 10 recommendations to address identified weaknesses. One recommendation remains unresolved.

Ongoing Work

The Criminal Division’s Office of Prosecutorial Development and Criminal Investigative Training Program

The Criminal Division’s Office of Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training and Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program provide training and technical assistance to foreign countries’ prosecutors, judicial personnel, and law enforcement personnel. Our audit is reviewing the programs’ controls and practices relating to funding, training, security, personnel, property, and program results, as well as the programs’ coordination with other U.S. agencies and foreign components.

Executive Office for Immigration Review

Investigations

The following is an example of a case that the OIG’s Investigations Division handled during this reporting period:

Ongoing Work

Administration of Immigration Courts

The OIG is examining EOIR’s efforts to reduce the backlog of cases in its immigration courts. 

Office of the Pardon Attorney

Ongoing Work

Office of the Pardon Attorney Processing of Clemency Petitions

The OIG is examining the Office of the Pardon Attorney procedures for processing clemency petitions.

U.S. Attorneys’ Offices

Investigations

The following is an example of a case that the OIG’s Investigations Division handled during this reporting period:

Office on Violence Against Women

Reports Issued

Audits of OVW Grants

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
During this reporting period, the OIG conducted audits of OVW grant recipients, including recipients of the award programs described above. The following are examples of those OIG grant audits.

 


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