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White Collar Crime in Government - How We Are Combating It

NCJ Number
75827
Author(s)
E B Staats
Date Published
1980
Length
25 pages
Annotation
Remarks by the U. S. Comptroller General highlight the seriousness of white-collar crime in the Federal Government and describe the measures being taken to combat it, particularly in the areas of accounting and auditing controls.
Abstract
Opportunities for fraud in the Government are tremendous when we consider the number of Federal programs, the large number of people involved in spending and controlling the monies, and the size of the annual budget -- currently over $600 billion. Many white-collar crimes against the Government have been widely publicized, such as the incidents of graft in the General Services Administration and a computer fraud scheme in the Department of Transportation. Moreover, a recent study covering 2 1/2 years and ending March 31, 1979 found 130,000 alleged cases of fraud and related types of illegal acts against 21 major agencies. Individual losses ranged from under $100 to over $1 million. A number of actions have been taken and are being planned by the Congress, the President, and Federal agencies to deter fraud and waste in Federal programs. Five of the actions considered particularly important involve the establishment of Offices of Inspector General in 14 major departments and agencies; the creation of an executive group to combat fraud and the requirement that agencies assess their vulnerability to fraud, waste, and error; the Department of Justice's program to combat economic crime and expand its training program; the General Accounting Office governmentwide study of fraud and abuse; and legislation requiring agency heads to report on the adequacy of their internal controls. In addition, one of the primary ways to bring greater credibility to all Government levels is to provide effective financial management systems which give managers sound information on financial choices and provide effective internal controls that will prevent fraud and illegal use of property. No references are provided.