Fermilab and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Fraud, Waste & Abuse and the Recovery Act
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide Fermilab with $103.1 million. The discovery and reporting of fraud, waste and abuse that involves gross misuse or mismanagement of Recovery Act funds is a high priority for the federal government. As a recipient of stimulus funds, it is our duty to ensure that any report of fraud, waste and abuse is addressed in an appropriate and prompt manner.
The Recovery.gov Web site and poster provide information on how to report allegations, as well as “whistleblower” protections for individuals making disclosures concerning fraud, waste and abuse.
An example of fraud could involve an individual bribing an official to get a federal contract. This act wastes taxpayers’ money because the best contractor for the job wouldn’t get hired. It also abuses the official’s power by taking personal gains over public trust.
Fermilab has always had fraud, waste and abuse programs and will continue to uphold the same high ethical standards for stimulus funds. These programs instruct employees and users how to report misuse of federal funds as well as concerns regarding public health or safety. “Whistleblower” protections ensure that you cannot be discharged, demoted or otherwise discriminated against as a reprisal for reporting an incident of fraud, waste and abuse.
If you see fraud, waste or abuse of Recovery Act funds, please be prepared to provide the identity of the violator, corroborating information or persons, as well as a description of the documentary or physical evidence.
If you would like more information or wish to report an allegation, please contact my office at x3252 or email ethicist@fnal.gov. While anonymous complaints are welcome, please understand that a lack of sufficient and specific information may lead to an inability to investigate the allegation.
— Gary Leonard, Fermilab General Counsel