Department of the Treasury

Office of Inspector General

Congressional Budget

Justification and Annual 

Performance Report and Plan

FY 2019
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Table of Contents

Section I – Budget Request........................................................................................................... 3

A – Mission Statement................................................................................................................ 3

B – Summary of the Request ...................................................................................................... 3

1.1 – Appropriations Detail Table ............................................................................................................4

1.2 – Budget Adjustments Table ..............................................................................................................4

C – Budget Increases and Decreases Description....................................................................... 4

1.3 – Operating Levels Table ...................................................................................................................5

D – Appropriations Language and Explanation of Changes ...................................................... 6

E – Legislative Proposals............................................................................................................ 6

Section II – Annual Performance Plan and Report................................................................... 7

A – Strategic Alignment ............................................................................................................. 7

B – Budget and Performance by Budget Activity .................................................................... 11

2.1.1 Audit Resources and Measures........................................................................................ 11

Audit Budget and Performance................................................................................................. 11

Section III – Additional Information ........................................................................................ 14

A – Summary of Capital Investments....................................................................................... 14
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Section I – Budget Request

A – Mission Statement

To promote the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of Treasury programs and operations. 

B – Summary of the Request 

The FY 2019 request for $36,000,000 for the OIG will be used to fund critical audit, 

investigative, and mission support activities to meet the requirements of the Inspector General 

Act of 1978, and other statutes including, but not limited to: the Cybersecurity Act of 2015;

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank); Federal 

Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA); Government Management Reform Act;

Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act; Digital Accountability and Transparency Act 

of 2014 (DATA Act); Federal Deposit Insurance Act; Small Business Jobs Act of 2010; and 

Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the 

Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). Specific mandates include audits of the 

Department’s financial statements, the Department’s compliance with FISMA, the Department’s 

actions in implementing cyber security information sharing, material loss reviews for failed 

insured depositary institutions regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), 

and spending data submitted by the Department to USASpending.gov.

With the resources available after mandated requirements are met, the OIG will conduct audits of 

the Department’s highest risk programs and operations, and respond to stakeholder requests for 

specific work as appropriate. Some of the Department’s highest risk programs and operations 

include: (1) Cyber Threats, (2) Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing/Bank Secrecy 

Act Enforcement, and (3) Efforts to Promote Spending Transparency and to Prevent and Detect 

Improper Payments, (4) Administration of the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.

In support of Treasury’s mission, the OIG established the following strategic goals:

 Promote the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of programs and operations across 

Treasury OIG’s jurisdictional boundaries through audits and investigations

 Proactively support and strengthen the ability of programs across Treasury OIG’s 

jurisdictional boundaries to identify challenges and manage risks 

 Fully and currently inform stakeholders of Treasury OIG findings, recommendations, 

investigative results, and priorities

 Enhance, support, and sustain a workforce and strengthen internal operations to achieve the 

Treasury OIG mission, vision, and strategic goals

Office of Inspector General’s FY 2019 Budget Request

In accordance with the requirements of Section 6(f) (1) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, the 

Treasury Inspector General submits the following information relating to the OIG’s requested 

budget for FY 2019:

 The aggregate budget request for the operations of the OIG is $45,000,000 comprised of 

$36,000,000 from direct appropriations, and $9,000,000 from reimbursable collections;

 The portion of this amount needed for OIG training is $350,000; and
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 The portion of this amount needed to support the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity 

and Efficiency (CIGIE) is $78,500.

The amount requested for training satisfies all OIG training needs for FY 2019.

The Inspector General has determined that the office requires approximately $2,500,000 above 

the $36,000,000 to accomplish required audit and investigative work in FY 2019, and to carry 

out the OIG’s mission to promote integrity, efficiency and effectiveness of Treasury programs 

and operations, and to prevent fraud waste and abuse.

1.1 – Appropriations Detail Table

Dollars in Thousands

Note: The FY 2017 column reflects levels appropriated in H.R. 255, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017, for further details on the 

execution of these resources see the 2019 Budget Appendix chapter for the Department of the Treasury. 

1.2 – Budget Adjustments Table

Dollars in Thousands

Office of Inspector General FTE Amount

FY 2018 Annualized CR 175 $36,792 

Changes to Base:

Maintaining Current Levels (MCLs): 0 $305 

Pay Annualization 0 $117 

Non-Pay 0 $188 

Subtotal Changes to Base 0 $305 

Total FY 2019 Base 175 $37,097 

Program Decreases 0 ($1,097)

Data Act and Other Workload 0 ($1,097)

Total FY 2019 Request 175 $36,000

C – Budget Increases and Decreases Description

Maintaining Current Levels (MCLs) ........................................................... $305,000 / +0 FTE

Pay Annualization +$117,000 / +0 FTE 

Funds are requested for annualization of the January 2018 pay raise.

Non-Pay +$188,000 / +0 FTE 

Funds are requested for non-labor expenses such as travel, contracts, rent, supplies, and 

equipment.

Program Decreases ..................................................................-$1,097,000/ +0 FTE

Data Act and Other Workload -$1,097,000 / +0 FTE

Program decreases in Data Act and other workload.

Office of Inspector General

Appropriated Resources

New Appropriated Resources FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT

Audit 115 $28,524 132 $28,330 132 $27,720 $0 ($610) 0.00% -2.15%

Investigations 43 $8,520 43 $8,462 43 $8,280 $0 ($182) 0.00% -2.15%

Subtotal New Appropriated Resources 158 $37,044 175 $36,792 175 $36,000 0 ($792) 0.00% -2.15%

Other Resources

 Reimbursables 7 $10,500 5 $10,000 5 $9,000 0 ($1,000) 0.00% -10.00%

Subtotal Other Resources 7 $10,500 5 $10,000 5 $9,000 0 ($1,000) 0.00% -10.00%

Total Budgetary Resources 165 $47,544 180 $46,792 180 $45,000 0 ($1,792) 0.00% -3.83%

FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2018 to FY 2019

Enacted Annualized CR Request Change % Change

FY 2019
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1.3 – Operating Levels Table

Dollars in Thousands

Office of Inspector General FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019

Object Classification Enacted Annualized CR Request

11.1 - Full-time permanent 21,000 20,750 19,739 

11.3 - Other than full-time permanent 200 10 10 

11.5 - Other personnel compensation 500 750 500 

11.5 - Overtime 0 0 0 

11.8 - Special personal services payments 675 700 600 

11.9 - Personnel Compensation (Total) 22,375 22,210 20,849 

12.0 - Personnel benefits 5,650 5,850 5,500 

13.0 - Benefits for former personnel 0 15 0 

Total Personnel and Compensation Benefits $28,025 $28,075 $26,349 

21.0 - Travel and transportation of persons 510 700 600 

23.1 - Rental payments to GSA 435 2,087 4,041 

23.3 - Communications, utilities, and miscellaneous charges 1,000 800 300 

24.0 - Printing and reproduction 19 5 5 

25.0 - Other contractual services 0 2,200 2,100 

25.2 - Other services from non-Federal sources 3,515 0 0 

25.3 - Other goods and services from Federal sources 2,970 2,465 2,280 

25.6 - Medical care 50 60 60 

25.7 - Operation and Maintenance of Equipment 120 35 45 

26.0 - Supplies and materials 100 145 100 

31.0 - Equipment 300 200 100 

92.0 - Unvouchered Expenditures 0 20 20 

Total Non-Personnel $9,019 $8,717 $9,651 

New Budgetary Resources $37,044 $36,792 $36,000 

FTE 158 175 175

Note: The FY 2017 column reflects levels appropriated in H.R. 255, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017. For further 

details on the execution of these resources see the 2019 Budget Appendix chapter for the Department of the Treasury.
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D – Appropriations Language and Explanation of Changes

Appropriations Language Explanation of Changes

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Federal Funds

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General in 

carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, 

$36,000,000, including hire of passenger motor vehicles; of which 

not to exceed $100,000 shall be available for unforeseen 

emergencies of a confidential nature, to be allocated and expended 

under the direction of the Inspector General of the Treasury; of 

which up to $2,800,000 to remain available until September 30, 

2020, shall be for audits and investigations

conducted pursuant to section 1608 of the Resources and 

Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived 

Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (33 U.S.C. 1321 

note); and of which not to exceed $1,000 shall be available for 

official reception and representation expenses.

Note.—A full-year 2018 appropriation for this account was not 

enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, the budget 

assumes this account is operating under the Continuing

Appropriations Act, 2018 (Division D of P.L. 115–56, as 

amended). The amounts included for 2018 reflect the annualized 

level provided by the continuing resolution.

E – Legislative Proposals

The OIG has no legislative proposals.
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Section II – Annual Performance Plan and Report

A – Strategic Alignment

Through the audit and investigative functions, the OIG supports the Department of the 

Treasury’s Strategic Plan for FY 2018-2022 including all objectives under the following goals: 

 Goal 1: Boost U.S. Economic Growth

 Goal 2: Promote Financial Stability

 Goal 3: Enhance National Security

 Goal 4: Transform Government-wide Financial Stewardship

 Goal 5: Achieve Operational Excellence

The FY 2018-2022 OIG strategic plan is currently under development. The annual performance 

plan will be updated in the budget to reflect the new priorities.

With the publication of Treasury’s Strategic Plan for FY 2018-2022, OIG will work this year to 

baseline performance against the new strategic objectives. This could result in changes to 

performance measures in the FY 2020 budget.

The FY 2019 requested resources will enable the OIG to perform audits and investigations of 

Treasury programs and operations under its jurisdiction, except for those of the Internal Revenue 

Service (IRS) and the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and to keep the Secretary of the 

Treasury and Congress fully informed of problems, deficiencies, and the need for corrective 

action. By statute, the OIG also performs oversight of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration 

Council, an independent Federal agency. Major Treasury risks and challenges include: 

Cyber Threats

Cyber threats are a persistent concern as Treasury’s information systems are critical to the core 

functions of government and the Nation’s financial infrastructure. OIG conducts audits of 

Treasury’s information systems and operations. As part of these audits, OIG conducts 

penetration tests of selected Treasury bureaus and offices to determine whether sufficient 

protections exist to prevent and detect unauthorized access to Treasury networks and systems. In 

addition, OIG conducts investigations into cyber intrusions of Treasury systems, the illicit 

removal of Treasury-protected information from Treasury systems, and cyber-enabled criminal 

activity impacting Treasury programs and operations, such as Business Email Compromise, 

Personal Email Compromise, and other schemes.

Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing/Bank Secrecy Act Enforcement 

This challenge focuses on the difficulties Treasury faces in identifying, disrupting, and 

dismantling the financial networks that support terrorists, organized transnational crime, 

weapons of mass destruction proliferators, and other threats to international security that 

continue to be challenging. Major challenges for the U.S. and Treasury involve stopping the 

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), rogue regimes and countries, and other bad actors who 

want to harm people and properties and disrupt the global financial system. Enhancing the 

transparency of the financial system is one of the cornerstones of the effort to disrupt the ability 

of terrorist organizations. Through OIG’s review of TFI authorities, responsibilities and

programs, OIG assesses the efficiency and effectiveness of TFI components including their 
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ability to disrupt terrorist organizations. OIG’s review includes assessing internal controls and 

ensuring compliance with laws and internal procedures. OIG reports any detected fraud, waste, 

and abuse and makes recommendations for improvement. Each day terrorists and criminals react 

to the increased financial institution monitoring by looking for other ways to move funds to 

support their illicit activities. OIG’s prior audits have revealed problems relating to the detection 

of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) violations, the timely enforcement of the BSA, Suspicious Activity 

Report (SAR) quality, and BSA system development efforts. Additionally, the universe of 

financial institutions required to comply with BSA requirements continues to grow as nonbank 

financial institutions are required to report Currency Transaction Report (CTR) and SAR data. 

This universe also includes the insurance industry and dealers of precious stones, metals, and 

virtual currencies. Given the importance of Treasury’s mission to combat terrorist financing and 

money laundering, and the ever changing environment in which terrorist organizations operate, 

OIG considers anti-money laundering and combating terrorist financing to be inherently highrisk areas with a commiserate need for oversight by OIG.

Efforts to Promote Spending Transparency and to Prevent and Detect Improper Payments

Treasury continues to make progress in its Government-wide and Department-wide 

implementation of the DATA Act. The DATA Act requires the Federal Government to provide 

consistent, reliable, and useful online data about how it spends taxpayer dollars. Given the broad 

Government-wide implications and critical roles assigned to Treasury by the DATA Act, the 

OIG considers this an ongoing high-risk implementation project and management challenge.

Given the department’s role in the Government-wide implementation of the DATA Act, 

Treasury OIG has provided continuous oversight since enactment of the law. Concurrent with 

the work performed by the office, Treasury OIG leads a multi-agency IG community DATA Act 

Working Group and provides educational oversight ensuring the IG community was well 

positioned to execute its responsibilities under the DATA Act. As it relates to improper 

payments, OIG continues to identify and analyze the risks of improper payments and reviews the 

controls and safeguards put in place by Treasury to prevent and recover such payments as set 

forth in the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010.

Management of the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund

To address the economic and environmental damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill 

in the Gulf Coast, Treasury was given authority to administer the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust 

Fund established by the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and 

Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act. While Treasury’s program administration 

under this act has progressed, challenges remain in managing the program and investments. 

In response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Congress enacted the RESTORE Act. This 

law established within Treasury the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund (Trust Fund) and requires 

Treasury to deposit into the Trust Fund 80 percent of administrative and civil penalties paid by 

responsible parties pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act). The 

funds are to be distributed for environmental and economic restoration activities affecting the 

Gulf Coast States (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas). In July 2015, BP 

Exploration & Production Inc., agreed to settle with the Federal Government and the Gulf Coast 

States resulting in approximately $4.4 billion plus interest expected to be deposited into the Trust 

Fund over a 15-year period. Approximately $5.3 billion is expected to be deposited into the 
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Trust Fund as a result of the Federal Government’s settlements with Transocean, Anadarko 

Petroleum Corporation, and BP Exploration & Production Inc., defendants. As of April 2017,

the Trust Fund received approximately $1.2 billion, including related interest. Going forward it 

is expected that demands for technical assistance from the Office of Gulf Coast Restoration will 

increase now that several Direct Component Multiyear Implementation Plans have been accepted 

by Treasury and a number of Direct Component planning assistance and construction grants have 

been awarded. 

In the Investigations operational area, OIG has established eight priorities for FY 2019:

Criminal and Serious Employee Misconduct

The OIG Office of Investigation’s highest priority is investigating complaints involving alleged 

criminal and other serious misconduct by Treasury employees. OIG investigates allegations of:

the general crimes enumerated in Title 18 of the U.S. Code, other federal crimes, alleged 

violations of the Ethics in Government Act, and allegations of serious misconduct prohibited by 

the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch. Several Treasury 

bureaus and offices have additional rules and regulations relating to ethical standards for their 

own employees, and OIG also investigates complaints of alleged violations of these rules and 

regulations.

Fraud Involving Contracts, Grants, Guarantees, and Funds

The OIG Office of Investigations conducts investigations into allegations of fraud and other 

crimes involving Treasury contracts, grants, loan guarantees, and federal funds, including 

investigations made in accordance with Sections 1602 and 1603 of the Recovery Act. Such 

allegations often involve contractors, entities, and individuals who are providing or seeking to 

provide goods or services to the Department. The Office of Investigations receives complaints 

alleging criminal or other misconduct from employees, contractors, members of the public, and 

the Congress.

Financial Programs and Operations Crime

Investigations relating to Treasury financial programs and operations that involve Treasury 

bureaus issuing licenses, providing benefits, and exercising oversight of U.S. financial 

institutions; frauds involving improper Federal payments such as those involving stolen, 

counterfeit, altered or fraudulently obtained Treasury checks and ACH payments; frauds 

involving improper Federal payments such as those involving Treasury checks and the Check 

Forgery Insurance Fund; crimes involving the improperly-redirected benefits of federal 

government payees; and false claims of any kind that generate inappropriate Federal payments, 

including federal income tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and Veterans’ Administration 

payments. These problems, particularly the production of counterfeit and altered Treasury 

checks, have significantly increased in the last few years. These matters require prompt attention 

to protect the public and the integrity of the department.

Threats Against Treasury Employees and Facilities

Investigative efforts into threats against Treasury employees and facilities are critical in ensuring 

safety for the Department. These matters require prompt attention and coordination with federal, 

state, and local authorities in order to protect those involved.
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Cyber Threats against Treasury Systems and Cyber Enabled Financial Crimes Fraud

The OIG conducts investigations into Cyber intrusions of Treasury systems, the illicit removal of 

Treasury protected information from Treasury systems and Cyber enabled criminal activity 

impacting Treasury programs and operations, such as Business Email Compromise, Personal 

Email Compromise and other schemes.

Treasury Employee and Bureau Impersonation Scams

Investigations relating to scammers who represent themselves as Treasury employees in order to 

defraud the citizens of the U.S. and other countries by the impersonation of Treasury employees 

and/or the fraudulent use of the Treasury and Bureau seals. This is a problem that has 

significantly increased in the last few years. These matters require prompt attention to protect 

the public and the integrity of the Department.

Investigating Fraud Related to Persons Representing Themselves as “Sovereign Citizens” 

Submitting Fictitious Financial Instruments to Treasury, Financial Institutions, and Private 

Companies

The OIG conducts investigations into criminal activity associated with individuals who attempt 

to scam the Treasury, financial institutions, private companies, and citizens by submitting 

fictitious financial instruments purporting to be issued by or drawn on the Treasury or other 

counterfeit documents to perpetrate a variety of fraud schemes. These matters have become 

more prevalent and require prompt coordination with Federal, State, and local authorities to 

protect the targets of the scams. 

Identifying and Investigating Fraud Related to the RESTORE Act 

The RESTORE Act commits 80 percent of all administrative and civil penalties related to the 

Deepwater Horizon spill to the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. It also outlines a structure for 

using the funds to restore and protect the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and 

wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and economy of the Gulf Coast region. As such, the 

act assigns Treasury several roles in administering the Trust Fund, including authorizing the 

Inspector General to investigate projects, programs, and activities funded under the act. 
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B – Budget and Performance by Budget Activity

2.1.1 Audit Resources and Measures

Dollars in Thousands

 Resource Level FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019

Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Annualize

d CR Request

Appropriated Resources $21,801 $24,947 $27,653 $26,014 $23,982 $28,330 $27,720

Reimbursable $8,671 $8,525 $7,299 $6,726 $10,500 $10,000 $9,000 

Budget Activity Total $30,472 $33,472 $34,952 $32,740 $34,482 $38,330 $36,720

FTE 139 135 133 137 115 132 132

Measure FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019

Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Target Target Target

Number of Completed Audit 

Products 72 75 86 98 90 86 74 74

Percent of Statutory Audits 

Completed by the Required 

Date

100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Audit Budget and Performance

($27,720,000 from direct appropriations, and $9,000,000 from reimbursable resources):

The Office of Audit conducts audits intended to ensure the accountability of resources, protect 

information, and provide recommendations for improving the integrity, economy, efficiency, 

effectiveness, and integrity of programs and operations under its jurisdiction, which include 

those of Treasury and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. The requested funding for 

FY 2019 is necessary to perform mandated work, including Material Loss Reviews of failed 

insured national banks and trusts as part of general oversight of the OCC, and maintain an 

appropriate level of oversight of these programs and operations consistent with the OIG’s 

responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978. In FY 2019, OIG will also continue to 

provide oversight of Treasury’s government-wide role and responsibilities under the DATA Act. 

Reimbursable funding agreements support financial audits of Treasury and oversight of the 

Small Business Lending Fund. 

Description of Performance:

The Office plans to complete 74 audit products in FY 2018, and 74 in FY 2019. The number of 

audit products was reduced in FY 2018 as a result of a significant rent increase in FY 2018 that 

will consume resources that would otherwise be used to fully staff the Office of Audit. The same 

target will apply in FY 2019. In FY 2017, the Office of Audit completed 90 audit products, and 

met all statutory audit timelines. Audit products include audit reports, evaluation reports, the 

Inspector General’s Semi-Annual Reports to the Congress, and the Inspector General’s annual 

memoranda to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Agriculture, as the designated 

Chairperson of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, on the most significant 

management and performance challenges facing the Department and Gulf Coast Ecosystem 

Restoration Council, respectively. Audit products can also include responses to specific 

information requests by the Congress. By completing independent and timely assessments of 
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programs and operations under its jurisdiction, the Office supports the OIG’s mission of 

promoting efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of those programs and operations. The 

recommendations for improvement in programs and operations noted through OIG’s assessments 

directly support the Treasury Department in achieving its strategic goals and the Gulf Coast 

Ecosystem Restoration Council in meeting its mission. 

The OIG has a mature audit operation that uses historical performance to estimate future 

performance. It has, over time, demonstrated agility at redirecting resources as necessary to 

address new challenges and mandates of its stakeholders.

In keeping with the OIG’s strategy to maintain a highly skilled and motivated workforce, the 

OIG plans and executes a meaningful body of work designed to help ensure the integrity and 

effectiveness of programs and operations across its jurisdiction while looking for opportunities to 

improve them.

2.1.2 Investigations Resources and Measures

Dollars in Thousands

 Resource Level FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019

Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Annualized 

CR Request

Appropriated Resources $5,582 $5,451 $6,237 $6,913 $7,164 

$8,462 $8,280

Other Resources 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Budget Activity Total $5,582 $5,451 $6,237 $6,913 $7,164 $8,462 $8,280

FTE 35 34 33 33 43 43 43

Measure FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019

Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Target Target Target

Percentage (%) of All Cases 

Closed During Fiscal Year that 

were Referred for Criminal/Civil 

Prosecution or Treasury 

Administrative Action

84 84 87 84 84 80 80 80

Investigations Budget and Performance 

($8,280,000 from direct appropriations): 

The Office of Investigations prevents, detects, and investigates complaints of fraud, waste, and 

abuse impacting Treasury programs and operations. This includes the detection and prevention 

or deterrence of employee misconduct and fraud, or related financial crimes within or directed 

against Treasury. The Office of Investigations refers its cases to the Department of Justice, state 

or local prosecutors for criminal prosecution or civil litigation, or to agency officials for 

corrective administrative action. 

With the increased risk of the Recovery Act grant programs for low-income housing, the Office 

of Investigations faces greater challenges and anticipated increases in grant fraud. In addition, 

with the establishment of Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund outreach efforts are being made in 

an effort to prepare for future investigative referrals and complaints aimed at suspected fraud 

involving the funds with this program.
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In addition to the grant programs listed above, the Office of Investigations has seen a noted 

increase in fraud impacting other significant Treasury programs and operations including fraud 

impacting the Treasury Direct program and the Treasury payment processing service operated by 

the Bureau of Fiscal Service. Fraud impacting the Treasury Direct program includes identity 

theft, account takeover, attempts to launder money and create fraudulent accounts. In 2017 the 

Bureau of Fiscal Service reported an over eightfold increase in some types of fraud over 2015. 

The Office of Investigations has seen substantial increases in improper payment fraud impacting 

the Bureau of Fiscal Service, which makes 85 percent of the payments for the Federal 

Government. This fraud includes marked increases in fraud impacting the Direct Express 

program, including lost card fraud, stolen card fraud, counterfeit card fraud, “account take over” 

or redirected benefit fraud, “card not present” fraud as well as stolen, altered and counterfeit 

Treasury checks and ACH payments. Fraud impacting the Direct Express program nearly tripled 

in dollar terms from November 2015 to December 2017. Stolen card fraud more than 

quadrupled from April to October 2017. Card not present fraud increased over twenty percent 

from February to September 2017. Lost card fraud nearly doubled from February to June 2017. 

Counterfeit credit card fraud more than tripled from July to December 2017. 

Additionally, the Office of Investigations remains committed to investigating benefit, improper 

payment and other monetary fraud associated with the programs and operations of the Treasury 

Department. 

Description of Performance:

In FY 2017 the Office of Investigations exceeded the Investigative Performance Measure target 

(Target – 80 percent; Actual – 84 percent), opened 144 new investigations and closed 72

investigations. The OIG also referred 43 investigations that substantiated administrative 

violations against a Treasury employee to the appropriate regulated bureau for action. In 

addition, the OIG referred 154 investigations for criminal prosecution and 17 investigations for 

civil prosecution. In FY 2017 the Office of Investigations arrested 160 subjects, 52 of which 

have been sentenced in investigations that resulted in fines, seizures, restitution, penalties and

settlements of more than $639 million. 

The Investigative Performance Measure is a percentage of all cases closed by the Office of 

Investigations during the fiscal year referred to Department Bureaus for administrative action or 

for criminal or civil prosecution by Federal or local prosecutors. The goal for Office of 

Investigations is that at least 80 percent of closed cases meet the aforementioned criteria of 

closed cases in the fiscal year. Meeting or exceeding this goal demonstrates that the Office of 

Investigations is responsive to allegations and complaints referred to the office and when these 

referrals require investigation, the cases are timely, thoroughly and accurately reported to assist 

the Department in maintaining the integrity of its programs and operations, subsequently 

ferreting out fraud, waste, and abuse. The office is working to meet or exceed this measure in 

both FY 2018 and FY 2019.

With the publication of the Treasury Strategic Plan for FY 2018-2022, OIG will work this year 

to baseline its performance against the new strategic objectives. This could result in changes to 

performance measures in the FY 2020 budget.
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Section III – Additional Information

A – Summary of Capital Investments

OIG has no capital investments. Capital investments that support OIG are included in the 

Departmental Offices plan.

A summary of capital investment resources, including major information technology and nontechnology investments can be found at:

http://www.treasury.gov/about/budget-performance/Pages/summary-of-capital-investments.aspx

This website also contains a digital copy of this document.