Getting Byrned by Justice: Favoritism in the Department of Justice Byrne Discretionary Grant Program

In awarding federal grants, it is standard practice for a federal agency to require that a competitive grant proposal go through a peer review process in order to evaluate the merit of the application. POGO has found that multiple FY2007 Byrne Discretionary Grants appear to have been awarded outside of the peer review process, and believes there are even questions of patronage and conflicts of interest by DOJ appointees. Documents obtained by POGO indicate that DOJ awarded 13 grants without evaluating them through the peer review process, and at least two of those grants appear to involve conflicts of interest between the grantee and DOJ appointees in the offices awarding those grants.

Secret Service Prostitution Scandal Poses a Daunting Challenge for Homeland Security's Acting Inspector General

Following news that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s Office of Inspector General (OIG) plans to be more directly involved in investigating the Secret Service prostitution scandal, some have concluded that Members of Congress--several of whom did not trust the Secret Service to investigate itself--will now be satisfied that the inquiry will be independent and credible. But if recent history is any guide, the fact that the DHS OIG lacks permanent leadership may cause some lawmakers to question whether that office is fit to handle such a politically explosive investigation, especially if the inquiry drags on or does not turn up evidence of misconduct by high-level officials.

Senate Fills Two Key Watchdog Vacancies with DOJ IG, SIGTARP Confirmation

Oversight of the executive branch got just a bit stronger last week with the confirmation of nominees to two key federal watchdog positions. Last Thursday, on the eve of the SIGTARP's one-year anniversary of operating without permanent leadership, the Senate voted to confirm Christy Romero as the head of the federal government’s bailout watchdog. The Senate confirmed Michael Horowitz to lead the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (DOJ IG) that same day.

Inspector General Vacancies Worry Comptroller General, Rep. Calls Vacancies Unacceptable

Yesterday, the Comptroller General of the United States, Gene L. Dodaro, appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to discuss a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on federal agencies and programs "which have duplicative goals or activities."

All Along the Watchtower: One Year Anniversary of DHS Inspector General Vacancy

As of today, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General (IG) has been vacant for exactly one year. The position became vacant when Richard Skinner retired after 42 years of service in the federal government.

New Keystone XL Pipeline Report: IG Vacancy Certain to Raise Credibility Questions

POGO has obtained the Special Review of the Keystone XL Pipeline conducted by the State Department Office of Inspector General, which is due to be made public tomorrow. An early report by Politico said the review found “no evidence of conflict of interest, bias or other wrongdoing in the State Department’s review of TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline.”

Justice Department Records Show Dramatic Rise in FARA Enforcement

Over the past few years, the Justice Department has dramatically ramped up its enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), according to new records obtained by POGO under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The records provide hard evidence in support of what many attorneys had suspected.