Semiannual Report

October 1, 1997 - March 31, 1998

Executive Summary

This is the 18 th semiannual report issued by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), since becoming a statutory Inspector General office in April 1989. It is issued pursuant to the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-452), as amended, and covers the period from October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998. All activities and results reported fall within the reporting period unless otherwise noted.

We conducted reviews and investigations directed at meeting the strategic goals of the agency. We reviewed acquisition and relocation projects under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Pro-gram. We devoted significant resources to supporting disaster relief efforts, specifically the New England ice storms, and Super Typhoon Paka. We conducted several reviews of disas-ter costs and grant recipients' compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We re-viewed the administration of insurance requirements in the Public Assistance Program as well as interest earned by insurance companies participating in the National Flood Insur-ance Program. We investigated numerous allegations of fraud and abuse by disaster recipi-ents and false claims by Agency personnel. We continued to support Agency managers to improve the overall operations of the Agency through participation on task forces.

Our audits, inspections, and investigations were instrumental in FEMA management's deobligating and recovering $15.6 million, and in agreements to recover and deobligate an additional $6.6 million. We issued 51 audit and inspection reports; processed an additional 68 reports issued by non-FEMA auditors; closed 67 investigations; arrested and indicted 15 individuals/companies; convicted 7 individuals; and received 561 hotline complaints.

Entire Report

Schedule of Amounts Due and Recovered (MS Excel Document)