2017

USAID Office of Inspector General Moves to Stop Theft of U.S.‐Funded Commodities

Conakry, Guinea—This week, an investigation by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) led local authorities in Guinea to arrest 8 individuals for illegally selling drugs to fight malaria. The arrests came after weeks of joint investigative work by OIG and the Guinean National Gendarmerie to secure evidence of theft, diversion, and resale of U.S. Government-funded antimalarial commodities.

USAID Inspector General Investigating Subject’s Role in Fraud Scheme

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced the arrest this week of Dr. Eugene Sickle, a South African citizen, for money laundering. OIG Special Agents apprehended Dr. Sickle in Washington, D.C. for offenses committed in relation to USAID-supported HIV/AIDS programs in South Africa.

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Jonathan Schofield, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Agency for International Development (“USAID-OIG”), announced today the settlement of a civil fraud lawsuit against AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT (“AUB”), a teaching- centered research university located in Beirut, Lebanon, that receives funding from USAID.

USAID Inspector General Investigation Leads to 5‐Year Ban

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced the debarment of 12 companies and individuals over their participation in a fraud scheme affecting humanitarian aid in Syria. USAID officials made the decision in April barring Orhan Senkardes, the Senkardes Company, and certain related individuals and companies from future business with the U.S. Government for 5 years.

Defendant Admits Providing Sensitive Documents to Friend Whom She Selected for Health Care Project  

WASHINGTON – BethAnne Moskov, a deputy director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), pled guilty today to charges stemming from a contract- steering scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Jonathan Schofield, Special Agent in Charge for the USAID Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations

WASHINGTON, DC — Over 60 participants representing 40 organizations from the international development implementer community recently attended a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG)-hosted roundtable on July 18th to hear USAID’s and USAID OIG’s expectations regarding fraud prevention, compliance, and reporting. Participants reviewed debarment and suspension processes, discussed specifics concerning expectations of cooperation with USAID and USAID OIG, and shared best practices in combatting fraud.

South African Doctor Took Over $200,000 Meant to Promote Safer Childbirth

WASHINGTON – Eugene Sickle, the former deputy executive director of a South African research institute, was sentenced today to seven months of incarceration and ordered to pay $206,250 in restitution for a scheme in which he stole grant funds originating with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Bridgeport, Connecticut, man was arrested this morning on charges that he and others defrauded the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) of over $1 million and laundered most of the funds through various bank accounts in Liberia and the United States, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Washington, DC— Today, the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG) was recognized in three categories at the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency’s (CIGIE) 20th Annual Awards Ceremony.

USAID OIG’s Afghanistan investigation team received the Award for Excellence, Investigations, in recognition of extreme bravery working in an area of active conflict. They are also recognized for their dedication to duty, which has helped ensure that U.S. investments in development abroad do not inadvertently increase risks of terrorism to Americans around the globe.

Investigation by USAID Inspector General Leads to Joint Law Enforcement Action

Washington, D.C.—Last week, authorities in Zambia arrested and held six individuals, including two pharmacy owners, involved in the illicit sale of HIV and malaria test kits in Lusaka, the country’s capital. The arrests took place using evidence gathered during a 5 month-long investigation by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG).