NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Office of Investigations (OI)
The Office of Investigations (OI) investigates allegations of crime, cyber-crime, fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct having impact on NASA programs, projects, operations, and resources. OI refers its findings either to the Department of Justice for prosecution or to NASA management for action. Through its investigations, OI identifies crime indicators and recommends effective measures for NASA management that are designed to reduce NASA’s vulnerability to criminal activity.
During the 6-month period which ended September 30, 2005, OIG investigations led to $5,308,195 in recoveries for the Government. In addition, investigations resulted in 20 indictments or informations, and 14 convictions, plea bargains or pretrial diversions.
Sample Cases
Hacker Sentenced
A computer hacker was sentenced to 4 months in Federal prison to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $71,181. The individual pled guilty to hacking the computer systems of various Federal agencies, including the Defense Logistics Information Service, the DOD Health Affairs Office in San Antonio, Texas, and the NASA Ames Research Center. Restitution to NASA is $2,376.
Two Individuals Sentenced for Child Pornography
- As the result of a joint investigation conducted by the NASA OIG and the FBI, an individual was sentenced to 72 months in Federal prison and 36 months of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of production of child pornography. The individual must also register as a sex offender.
- A former NASA employee was sentenced to 21 months in Federal prison and 36 months of supervised release for 1 count of possession of child pornography. A NASA OIG investigation revealed that the former employee used his workstation to download and view child pornography.
Aerospace Prime Contractor to Pay NASA $375,000 for Lack of Oversight of Subcontractor
An OIG investigation resulted in a civil settlement in which an aerospace prime contractor agreed to pay NASA $375,000. The contractor had failed to provide adequate oversight of a company it had subcontracted with to replace the Space Shuttle emergency egress slides. When the subcontractor incurred additional costs due to its use of incorrect materials, the extra costs were incorporated in a charge back to NASA via the prime contractor. NASA was charged approximately $553,313 in additional costs.
NASA Contractor Reaches Settlement Agreement
A civil settlement was reached with a NASA contractor for $1.275 million after an investigation revealed that a former employee of the contractor had submitted false claims for payment that the contractor subsequently billed to NASA. The former employee developed a scheme whereby he issued procurement requests and close out orders for non-existent services to three fictitious companies. Consequently, the contractor made payments to those fictitious companies.
This page is updated every 6 months and is based on data taken from the OIG’s Semiannual Report to Congress. The Report is typically released the first week of each June and December.
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