Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Watchdog to examine summertime hack of DHS information network, other incidents
The Government Accountability Office is expected to flag that DHS delayed in notifying Congress of the incidents, according to a person familiar with the review.
Digital Government
GSA faces recurrent issues with geospatial data handling, watchdog finds
The agency’s chief information officer agreed with all five recommendations made by the watchdog.
Artificial Intelligence
SBA’s AI fraud detection pilot didn’t include needed safeguards, OIG says
The federal agency that supports the growth of U.S. small businesses has been using Palantir software to identify fraud in disbursed pandemic assistance loans.
Artificial Intelligence
AI ‘is changing the game’ in fraud threats and prevention efforts, SSA OIG official says
Chief Strategy Officer for the SSA Office of the Inspector General Chad Bungard said “the government is looking towards AI to fight fraud, and the criminals are looking towards AI to commit fraud.”
Artificial Intelligence
VA watchdog uses AI to help compile healthcare facility audits
The Office of Inspector General has been using Copilot Chat “to review inspection data such as interview transcripts, documents, questionnaire responses, and physical observations.”
Digital Government
SSA needs to enhance its data verification systems, watchdog finds
Improving matches between agency and external data could reduce improper payments, inaccurate records and manual work for federal employees the agency’s inspector general found.
Digital Government
DOGE took credit for savings that never happened, watchdog finds
The Department of Government Efficiency claimed tens of billions of dollars in savings on its infamous “Wall of Receipts,” but the Government Accountability Office found it touted savings that never happened and could not be substantiated.
People
Despite firings, acting IG says it’s 'the best time to be in the inspector general community' due to focus on fraud
A panel of inspectors general at a government accounting conference also discussed challenges combating technologically advanced scams and performing more proactive oversight.
Cybersecurity
Secret Service phone security lapses put US officials at risk, watchdog says
The DHS inspector general found that agents routinely used personal phones for official work, including during protective operations, because government-issued devices lacked key capabilities.
Artificial Intelligence
VA’s AI chatbots not designated high-impact, despite clinical use, watchdog says
VA’s Inspector General noted that the agency’s two internal chatbots “are not designed specifically for clinical use,” although they have been deployed for such purposes.
Modernization
EHR modernization needs better cyber and privacy collaboration, GAO says
The Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization office needs to improve its interagency coordination to address potential privacy and security vulnerabilities in the new system, according to the watchdog.
Artificial Intelligence
USDA is using AI — but doesn’t have required controls to manage risks, watchdog finds
The Agriculture inspector general noted the agency has prioritized making use of the technology over setting up controls.
Digital Government
Agencies doled out $186B in improper payments last year, GAO says
That fiscal year 2025 improper payment number is up by $24 billion from the previous fiscal year, even as the Trump administration says that it’s tamping down on fraud.
Digital Government
IRS lacks transparent plans to leverage tech in the face of staffing cuts, GAO and employees say
Agency leaders are “shoving AI at us,” one IRS employee said, despite the fact that “they don’t have the right tools for us yet.”
Digital Government
Sessions introduces bill to set up a new Treasury fraud watchdog
The proposal from the co-chair of the House DOGE Caucus comes after President Donald Trump fired nearly 20 agency inspectors general last year.
Policy
Single-member surveillance watchdog backs 702 powers, raising independence questions
A staff report from the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board praises the value of Section 702 of FISA, though all but one of the board’s members were removed last year.
People
Inspector general group to be led by former Trump administration adviser
A government oversight organization said that the selection of Cheryl Mason, who is the inspector general for the Veterans Affairs Department, shows the White House is “putting more of a thumb on the scale” of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
Digital Government
Washington promises UFO disclosure. History suggests otherwise.
Disclosure may not reveal alien visitors, but it will reveal something equally important: how science, measurement and skepticism slowly turn mystery into understanding.
Modernization
VA takes initial steps to create a centralized database of veteran research info, official says
The department has created an internal working group to look at “developing a singular database where we can capture veteran enrollment data in real time,” according to Liza Catucci, VA’s acting director of health systems research.
Policy