Why We Did This Report
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General has identified a concern regarding the EPA’s obligation to properly and timely disclose fraud to the OIG.
Summary
The EPA failed to properly and timely disclose to the OIG unmistakable indicators of fraud against the EPA, the Clean Air Act, and the EPA’s programs and operations by a business entity owner. As a result of the EPA’s failure to properly disclose these indicators of fraud in a timely manner to the OIG, the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to pursue criminal charges against the business entity owner involved. Failure to disclose fraud, waste, and abuse, or other potential improper or illegal conduct involving an EPA program or operation can negatively impact the EPA’s ability to fulfill its mission and ensure the soundness of, and confidence in, the EPA’s programs and operations.