The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation after receiving information from a confidential source alleging bribery, conflicts of interest, and procurement fraud under a $4.7M USAID project in Africa and at a funded non-governmental organization (NGO) headquarters. The complainant reported that the NGO’s senior leadership failed to disclose these allegations to USAID or USAID OIG and intentionally narrowed the scope of its internal investigation to reduce the likelihood of discovering additional reportable activity.
The OIG found[1]: conflicts of interest between the NGO Chief of Party and program consultants; inadequate segregation of duties at one of the NGO’s offices; the NGO’s staff failed to follow NGO procurement policy; and instances where the project accounts and administrative officer falsified program documentation and records to substantiate payments.
Criminal prosecution of the subjects of the investigation was declined.
Based on these findings, the OIG provided an interim report to the cognizant USAID Mission in Africa for appropriate action.
[1] Unless otherwise noted, OIG findings of misconduct are based on a preponderance of the evidence standard.