IG: The EPA should take stronger steps to communicate the consequences of fraudulent conduct throughout the life cycle of a grant. Image: Hiram Rios/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffIn a message that could apply equally to all agencies set to receive increased funding through laws enacted in 2021 and 2022 for infrastructure and environmental projects, the inspector general at the EPA has called on the agency to boost awareness of anti-fraud policies throughout the grants system through which that money will be distributed.
A “management implication” report notes that the EPA is set to receive some $100 billion under those laws, some of which “will be distributed through familiar mechanisms, such as the state revolving funds or pollution prevention grants. Others will go through new or expanded programs, such as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and environmental justice grant programs,” said the report.
However, the IG said that it “has observed that grantees and subrecipients may not be fully aware of key fraud prevention and enforcement measures.”
“First, the EPA should take stronger steps to clearly communicate the criminal, civil, and administrative consequences of fraudulent conduct throughout the life cycle of a grant. Second, the EPA needs to add OIG reporting requirements and whistleblower protection provisions to its standard terms and conditions,” it said. “For example, the agency should consider requiring all grantees and subrecipients to report suspected instances of fraud directly and immediately to the OIG. The EPA should also consider requiring that grantees and subrecipients convey whistleblower rights and protections to their staff.”
“And third, the EPA must ensure that the OIG has timely access to the records and personnel of grantees and subrecipients. The Agency should consider requiring that all grantees and subrecipients understand and abide by the inspector general access rights” under the IG Act and other laws, it said.
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