DIA OIG Semiannual Report to Congress, April 1, 2019–September 30, 2019

In accordance with the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, it is my privilege to present the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) semiannual report to the U.S. Congress.  This report summarizes our accomplishments for the reporting period April 1, 2019, through September 30, 2019.
 
Through audits, inspections, and investigations, our office provides timely and relevant oversight of the DIA Enterprise.  Our goal is to protect the integrity and effectiveness of DIA programs and operations, as well as to detect and deter fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement.  As such, our Audits Division completed an audit of Incoming Reimbursable Orders, identifying issues with $130 million worth of orders and making two recommendations.  In addition, the Audits Division determined the Agency complied with the Improper Payments Elimination and Reduction Act.  Likewise, our Inspections Division completed a critical follow-up evaluation of DIA’s Supply Chain Risk Management Program, issuing seven recommendations.  The division also issued six recommendations in its evaluation of DIA’s Unauthorized Disclosure Program.
 
Furthermore, our persistent collaboration with Agency officials to close recommendations continues to pay off.  We closed 23 audit recommendations in fiscal year 2019, and 19 remain open.  For inspections, we closed 36 recommendations, while 21 remain open.  Lastly, our Investigations Division opened 40 cases and closed 27.  Of the 84 ongoing investigations, several involve senior officials or allegations of significant fraud.
 
During this period, we completed five reprisal investigations, substantiating the allegation in one case.  In another, we did not substantiate the claim of reprisal; however, we found that a separate senior official and two others had abused their authority.  In accordance with our recommendations, the Agency has taken steps to correct adverse reprisal actions detailed in previous OIG investigations.  For example, one whistleblower was reinstated after a wrongful termination and another was retroactively promoted.
 
Our office continues to rely on employees and others who report concerns of fraud, waste, abuse, and gross mismanagement.  Overall, maintaining confidentiality is of the utmost importance.  We do not disclose the identity of any whistleblower without their consent—unless disclosure is unavoidable, as required by law.  In a recent bulletin to the workforce, I reaffirmed our commitment to protecting whistleblowers.  Moreover, in an Agency ceremony, the DIA chief of staff signed and reissued the DIA Directive on whistleblower protections.  We also launched a new unclassified website unaffiliated with DIA.  This site provides additional assurances of confidentiality and protections for individuals who report wrongdoing, and it increases our independence while enhancing transparency with our nation’s citizens.
 
I would also highlight our continued pursuit to modernize our information technology infrastructure.  We have increased proactive fraud investigative resources and added new analytical tools.  We also plan to deploy a new Case Management and Tracking System by early next calendar year.  With these new investments, our goal is to significantly elevate our oversight processes and enhance management and security of our data.
 
I am proud of my staff’s professionalism and enthusiasm.  Their work continues to compel management actions to achieve a more unified, adaptive, and agile DIA Enterprise.  I am equally appreciative of the continued trust and support of the Director, DIA senior leaders, and Congress.