U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Audit Report

Center for Effective Public Policy

Implementing Effective Sex Offender Management Strategies:

A Program of Training and Technical Assistance

Grant No. 97-WT-VX-K007

GR-30-98-0013

September 29, 1998

Executive Summary

The Office of the Inspector General, Audit Division, has completed an audit of cooperative agreement number 97-WT-VX-K007 (hereinafter "grant") awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP), to the Center for Effective Public Policy (Center). The Center received an award of $1,427,881 to implement effective sex offender management strategies.

Our audit concentrated on, but was not limited to, the period of February 10, 1997 through May 31, 1998. We reviewed transactions to determine whether costs were allowable, reasonable, and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and terms and conditions of the grant. We also reviewed requests for reimbursement and the accuracy and timeliness of financial and progress reports.

In brief, our audit determined that:

• Costs incurred were adequately supported and were otherwise allowable, allocable, and reasonable,

• Excessive cash balances of grant drawdowns were maintained, which resulted in lost interest to the government because the Center did not maintain its grant funds in interest bearing accounts,

• Financial and progress reports were not always submitted timely,

• One financial report did not accurately reflect grant expenditures, and

• Some activities planned to accomplish objectives of the grant were implemented more slowly than expected.

These items are discussed in detail in the FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS section of the report. Our SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY appear in Appendix I.

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