Press Release
U.S. Agency for International Development Inspector General Ann Calvaresi Barr Retires from Federal Service
The Honorable Ann Calvaresi Barr, Inspector General for the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), retired from Federal service on December 31,
2020.
Two Democratic Republic of Congo Nationals Charged with Diverting USAID-Funded Anti-Malarial Medication in East Africa for Resale on the Black Market
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ann Calvaresi Barr, the Inspector General of the United States Agency for International Development (“USAID”), announced the unsealing today of an indictment charging RENE DJESSA and DANIEL OHOYO, both nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”), with conspiracy and theft of government property in connection with a scheme to divert tens of thousands of doses of anti-malarial medication funded by the President’s Malaria Initiative (“PMI”) for resale on the black market in East Africa.
USAID Inspector General’s Office Recognized for Syria Humanitarian Aid Oversight, Ebola Lessons Learned Report
The U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Inspector General, or OIG, was recognized for the impact of its investigative and audit work at the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency’s 21st annual awards ceremony. OIG received awards in four categories based on its oversight of humanitarian aid programs in Syria, investigations into material support to terrorism, and its report on lessons learned from the 2014 Ebola crisis.
Former Financial Manager for USAID Subgrantee Sentenced for Embezzling Global Health Funds
Zachary Alexander Paul, a former finance manager for United Cerebral Palsy Wheels for Humanity, or UCP, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to six months in prison for embezzling over $140,000 in funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
USAID Inspector General: Prompt Reporting of Fraud, Abuse Critical in Humanitarian Aid Programs
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Inspector General convened representatives from over 50 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss ways of fighting fraud, waste, and abuse in humanitarian aid programs. The day-long roundtable provided information on evolving fraud trends, mitigating the risk of diverting funds and providing material support to terrorist and other armed groups, and addressing allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of aid beneficiaries.
Sorensen Gross Construction Co. And Corporate Vice President Khalil Saab to Pay $2.481 Million To Settle Claims Related to USAID Aqaba Schools Project
The Justice Department announced today that Sorensen Gross Construction Company (Sorensen) and its corporate vice president, Khalil Saab, have agreed to pay $2.481 million to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims for payment under a construction contract funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Settlement with Norwegian Not-For-Profit, Resolving Claims that it Provided Material Support to Iran, Hamas, and Other Prohibited Parties Under U.S. Law
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ann Calvaresi Barr, Inspector General for the U.S. Agency for International Development (“USAID”), announced today the filing and settlement of a civil fraud complaint against NORWEGIAN PEOPLE’S AID (“NPA”), a non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in Norway, that receives funding from USAID.
Reports of Corrupt Practices in Cross‐Border Aid to Syria
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) is conducting a complex investigation into cross-border aid programs providing humanitarian relief in Syria. These programs are run from both Turkey and Jordan by multiple nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with funds from USAID and other international donors.
Recent international press reports have raised issues of irregularities involving some of these programs.