Special Inspector General for TARP 

Program Summary 

(Dollars in thousands) 

FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010

Obligated Estimated Estimated $ Change % Change

 Appropriation n/a $50,000 n/a $0 0%

 Estimated Obligations n/a $25,000 $25,000 $0 0%

Total FTE n/a 100 150 - -

Purpose of Program 

 

SIGTARP’s mission is to advance economic 

stability by promoting the efficiency and 

effectiveness of Troubled Assets Relief 

Program (TARP) management, through 

transparency, through coordinated oversight, 

and through robust enforcement against 

those, whether inside or outside of 

Government, who waste, steal or abuse 

TARP funds. 

Transparency

Promoting transparency in the management 

and operation of TARP is one of 

SIGTARP’s primary roles. Through the 

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 

FY 2008 (EESA), the American taxpayer 

has been asked to fund - to the tune of 

hundreds of billions of dollars - an 

unprecedented effort to stabilize the 

financial system and promote economic 

recovery; in this context, the public has a 

right to know how that money is being 

spent. Transparency is a powerful tool to 

ensure that all those managing the TARP 

funds will act appropriately, consistent with 

the law and in the best interests of the 

country. 

Coordinated Oversight

SIGTARP plays a vital role in promoting the 

economy and efficiency in the management 

of TARP and views its oversight role both 

prospectively (by advising TARP managers 

on issues relating to internal controls and 

oversight, for example) and retrospectively 

(by assessing the effectiveness of TARP 

activities over time and suggesting 

improvements and making 

recommendations for positive change). 

SIGTARP closely coordinates its oversight 

activities with the other TARP oversight 

bodies to ensure maximum oversight 

coverage and to avoid redundant and unduly 

burdensome requests. 

Robust Enforcement

SIGTARP’s third primary role is to prevent, 

detect and investigate cases of fraud, waste 

and abuse of TARP funds and programs. 

SIGTARP, through its own investigative 

resources and through partnership with other 

relevant law enforcement agencies, is 

committed to robust criminal and civil 

enforcement against those, whether inside or 

outside of Government, who waste, steal or 

abuse TARP funds. 

In 2010, SIGTARP will continue to design 

and conduct programmatic audits of 

Treasury's TARP operations, as well as 

recipients' compliance with their obligations 

under relevant law and contract. SIGTARP 

will also conduct and supervise criminal and 

civil investigations into any parties 

suspected of TARP-related fraud, waste, or 

abuse and it must remain flexible at all times 

to respond to future changes to the TARP 

programs. 

Department of the Treasury - Budget in Brief FY 2010 Page 73
SIGTARP faces the administrative realities 

of any new organization, and is working to 

formulate a full strategic plan, and to 

identify the resource requirements that it 

will enable it to fully and effectively carry 

out its mission. Future funding needs are 

under review. If additional resources are 

necessary, a request will be made. 

Legislative Proposals 

 

SIGTARP has no legislative proposals for 

FY 2010.

Department of the Treasury - Budget in Brief FY 2010 Page 74