Plans Under Way for September Fraud Conference

Join AGA at its Fifth Annual Internal Control & Fraud Conference, set for Sept. 15–16 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Worth 14 CPE hours, the conference will focus on management’s responsibility for ensuring a good system of internal controls and the role of all accountability professionals in minimizing the risk of fraud, waste and abuse.

Hear from leaders in government and private industry discuss the latest discovery techniques and lessons learned from various schemes; how poor internal controls can lead to fraud, waste and abuse; and how different levels of government are cooperating to improve services to citizens. The conference will also cover such interesting topics as cyber crime, using suspension and disbarment actions for poorly performing contractors, war against improper payments, municipal market enforcement and regulatory reforms, mortgage and bank fraud, Medicaid investigations, managing construction project risks, and Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and GAO oversight activities.

Fees are $500 for AGA members and $675 for nonmembers until Aug. 30 when they increase by $100.

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Schedule

7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Registration Desk Open

7 – 8 a.m.
Breakfast with Exhibitors

8 – 8:10 a.m.
Welcome

8:10 – 9:10 a.m.
W100: Health Care Fraud
Peter Budetti, JD, MD, Deputy Administrator for Program Integrity, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Moderator:  Relmond P. Van Daniker, DBA, CPA, Executive Director, AGA

FOS: AUD                             
Audience: All

 

9:10 – 10:10 a.m.
W101: Post-Madoff Investigations at the SEC

H. David Kotz, Inspector General, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Moderator: Richard L. Skinner, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Co-Chair, 2010 Internal Control & Fraud Technical Committee

The SEC’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has conducted exhaustive investigations into the oversight of the agency in regard to the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme and the alleged Allen Stanford Ponzi scheme. As a result of the OIG’s findings, the SEC has implemented significant changes to the manner in which it conducts fraud investigations. The speaker describes the OIG’s investigations and findings and discusses the changes at the SEC as well as the efforts to uncover fraud in the future. 

FOS: AUD                             
Audience: All

 

10:10 – 10:50 a.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors

 

10:50 – 11:50 a.m.

W102: How Effectively Are We Using Suspension and Debarment Actions for Poorly Performing Contractors?

Brian D. Miller, JD, Inspector General, U.S. General Services Administration
Calvin L. Scovel, III, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation
Richard L. Skinner, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Co-Chair, 2010 Internal Control & Fraud Technical Committee
Moderator: Richard Moore, JD, Inspector General, Tennessee Valley Authority; Chair, Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Investigations Committee 

The federal government spends billions of dollars each year through contracts for goods and services. Therefore, it is important that contracts are awarded to responsible vendors.  Suspension and debarment are discretionary actions to help protect taxpayer dollars by excluding certain poorly performing contractors from doing business with the federal government. During this session, inspectors general discuss suspension and debarment policies, procedures and practices at their respective departments and agencies.

FOS: AUDG                           
Audience: All

 

10:50 – 11:50 a.m.
W103: The War Against Improper Payments

William Mason, Director of Internal Controls, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

William P. McGee, CPA, Project Manager, Business Activity Monitoring for Improper Payments, U.S. Defense Finance and Accounting Service

Joseph Pika, U.S. Office of Management and Budget

Moderator: Donald G. McCrory, CGFM, Principal, Washington Federal Practice-Financial Management, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

As government budgets tighten at all levels, there is a greater mandate for increased oversight of improper payments. This session presents ideas for best business practices and internal controls that organizations have implemented to monitor and reduce improper payments in a cost-effective manner. The panel discusses how to establish and manage an improper payment prevention process, including the tools, techniques and systems to make it effective.  Presenters share lessons learned and, where applicable, talk about the benefits they have realized.  

FOS: ACCG                           
Audience: All

11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Networking Luncheon

 

1 – 2 p.m.
W104: Fraud Prevention and Detection Efforts in FEMA Programs
Rudy A. Vinas, MPA, Fraud Chief, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Moderator: Richard L. Skinner, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Co-Chair, 2010 Internal Control & Fraud Technical Committee

This session provides participants with broad insight into the responsibilities and challenges in preventing and detecting fraud against FEMA. Panelists address vulnerabilities in FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, the extent of problems in the Public Assistance Program and the impact fraud has in diverting FEMA’s work force from its mission. In addition, this session covers applicable laws and professional standards designed to assist in preventing fraud and highlight FEMA's fraud prevention efforts as well as options and strategies going forward.

FOS: AUDG                           
Audience: Federal

 

1 – 2 p.m.
W105: Grant Control and Management—Federal and State Perspectives
Erin D. Haney, CIA, Statewide Financial Internal Controls Officer, State of Oregon
Catherine Kreyche, Director of Learning Services, Management Concepts
Kim McGatlin, CPA, Assistant Director, Financial Management and Assurance, U.S. Government Accountability Office
Moderator: Joseph L. Kull, CGFM, CPA, Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; AGA National Treasurer and Member, AGA National Executive Committee 

Grant management and control is a significant issue at all levels of government. This session highlights current issues regarding grant management and controls, from both a state and federal perspective, covering a real-world issue and what is being done to address the weaknesses as well as providing insight from an oversight perspective. 

FOS: FIN                
Audience: All

 

2 – 3 p.m.
W106: IGs and CFOs Working Together to Fight Fraud
Michael G. Gallagher, Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Social Security Administration
Patrick P. O’Carroll Jr., Inspector General, U.S. Social Security Administration
Moderator: John McLain, CISA, CDFM, Audit Director, Grant Thornton LLP

Are they adversaries or advocates? That is a typical question that comes to mind when pondering relationships between inspectors general and chief financial officers. Fraud detection and prevention is immeasurably strengthened when these key officials in departments and agencies work together while not compromising the independence standards of the Yellow Book. The presenters relate the success and history of the effectiveness of their anti-fraud cooperation at the U.S. Social Security Administration.

FOS: AUDG                           
Audience: All

 

2 – 3 p.m.
W107: Data Mining and Risk Modeling Tools and Techniques to Detect Fraudulent Patterns and Emerging Risks
Michael A. Cuff, CPA, Special Agent and Supervisor, Forensic Accounting Unit, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
Kenneth Jones, Director, Forensic Advisory Services, KPMG LLP
Edward D. Slevin, CISA, CAATs Director, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Education
Moderator: Chris E. Swecker, Former Acting Executive Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Fraud is on the rise at an alarming rate, fueled in large measure by the financial turmoil gripping the world’s economy. Hear the latest techniques and technologies, such as data mining, used in detecting and preventing fraud. Perspectives are provided from the public and private sectors as well as the forensics division of the FBI.

FOS: SKA                             
Audience: All

 

3 – 3:30 p.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors

 

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
W108: Municipal Market Enforcement and Regulatory Reforms
Elaine Greenberg, Chief, Office of Regulatory Enforcement, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Martha Haines, Chief, Office of Municipal Securities, Division of Trading and Markets, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Laura Hirst, Chief Auditor, Auditor General’s Office, State of Michigan
Moderator: John J. Radford, CGFM, CFE, CIA, State Controller, State of Oregon; Co-Chair, 2010 Internal Control & Fraud Technical Committee

Enhancing municipal market oversight is a subject of considerable discussion among participants. This session highlights current SEC enforcement issues, presents the current status of proposed municipal market regulatory reforms, provides a brief discussion of the comparative benefits of enhanced market oversight and covers the need for more timely financial reporting and disclosure.  

FOS: FIN                
Audience: All

 

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception

 

Thursday, Sept. 16
 

6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Registration Desk Open
 

7 – 8 a.m.
Breakfast with Exhibitors
 

8 – 9 a.m.
T100: Topic TBI
Daniel I. Werfel, JD, MBA, Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, U.S. Office of Management and Budget - Invited
Moderator: Lisa Casias, CPA, AGA National President and Member, AGA National Executive Committee

FOS: ACCG                           
Audience: All

 

9 – 10 a.m.
T101: Mortgage and Bank Fraud—What Are the Trends?
Jon Rymer, Inspector General, Federal Deposit and Insurance Corporation
Tony West, Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Moderator: Kenneth M. Donohue, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

FOS: AUD                             
Audience: All
 

10 – 10:40 a.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors
Jeffrey Troy, Acting Deputy Assistant Director, Cyber Crime Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Moderator: Bruce E. Sullivan, Vice President, Head of Government Services, Visa Inc.

FOS: CS                
Audience: All

 

10:40 – 11:50 a.m.
T103: Procurement Fraud—Accomplishments and Future Initiatives
Robb C. Adkins, Executive Director, Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, Office of the Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Steve Linick, JD, Deputy Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division and Task Force Director, U.S. Department of Justice
Moderator: John J. Radford, CGFM, CFE, CIA, State Controller, State of Oregon; Co-Chair, 2010 Internal Control & Fraud Technical Committee

The President created the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force in November 2009 to address a wide array of fraud.  Procurement fraud, especially as it relates to the massive funds disbursed under the Recovery Act, is a top priority of the Task Force.  This session addresses the continuing work of the inspectors general from the National Procurement Fraud Task Force and others in support of this mission as well as the new trends and initiatives in this area.

FOS: AUDG                           
Audience: All

11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Networking Luncheon

 

1 – 2 p.m.
T104: Medicaid Investigations and Provider Mandatory Disclosure James Sheehan, JD, Medicaid Inspector General, Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, State of New York
Moderator: James G. Huse, Senior Advisor, Grant Thornton LLP; former Inspector General, U.S. Social Security Administration

Coping with Medicaid fraud is of paramount concern to state and federal officials. One of the most successful Medicaid anti-fraud programs in the U.S. is New York State’s Office of the Medicaid Inspector General. Established three years ago in the wake of provocative media reports on substantive Medicaid fraud in New York, the presenter, a former federal prosecutor, was selected as its first inspector general. The speaker discusses his perspectives on Medicaid investigations and provider mandatory disclosure.

FOS: AUD                             
Audience: All

 

1 – 2 p.m.
T105: Recovery Act Board and GAO Oversight Activities and Initiatives Jeanette M. Franzel, CGFM, CPA, Managing Director, Financial Management and Assurance, U.S. Government Accountability Office
Doug Hassebrock, MBA, Assistant Director for Investigations, Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board
Moderator: Richard L. Skinner, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Co-Chair, 2010 Internal Control & Fraud Technical Committee

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has paid billions of dollars in Recovery Act funds for use in states and localities. A significant percentage of these funds have been spent on health, education and training programs. Auditing the program has presented tremendous challenges, including coordinating efforts among federal, state and local entities. The panel discusses the successes and challenges facing auditors of these big-dollar programs.

FOS: AUDG                           
Audience: All

 

2 – 3 p.m.
T106: Emerging Trends with Fraud Hotlines
Arthur A. Hayes, JD, CGFM, CPA, Director of State Audit, Comptroller of the Treasury, State of Tennessee
Rene Lee, JD, Assistant Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Steve McGovern, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Moderator: Richard Moore, JD, Inspector General, Tennessee Valley Authority; Chair, Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Investigations Committee

Interest in fraud hotlines continues to grow. This session highlights some of the emerging trends within the fraud hotline community, including methods of improving intake procedures, the increased use of technology and how to ensure that fraud hotline operations receive the best return on investment of human and financial resources. Also, the presenters provide participants with a quick but valuable checklist of key issues related to establishing and maintaining an effective hotline for reporting fraud, waste and abuse, as presented in Hayes’ series of “Inside the Huddle” articles in AGA’s Journal of Government Financial Management.

FOS: AUD                             
Audience: All

 

2 – 3 p.m.
T107: Managing Construction Project Risks
Frank Baltz, Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, Clark Construction
Peter J. Basso, Director of Management and Business Development, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Ken Meade, former Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation
Robert L. Panella, Special Agent In-Charge, Office of Labor Racketeering & Fraud Investigations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor Moderator: Peter Wallace, Principal, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP

With the recent surge in construction spending under the Recovery Act and long-term infrastructure needs, concerns regarding the prevalence of fraud, waste and abuse continue to be significant considerations in the construction industry. Traditional industry challenges as well as spending increases continue to attract unscrupulous individuals, who invent new means and methods to commit fraud without detection. This dynamic panel discusses new approaches and strategies for detecting and mitigating the adverse effects of new fraud schemes, including tools and techniques for identifying key red flags.

FOS: AUD                             
Audience: All

 

3 – 3:30 p.m.
Coffee Break with Exhibitors

 

3:30 – 4:20 p.m.
T108: Uncovering Widespread Fraud in State and Federally Funded Child Care Programs
Raquel Rutledge, Investigative Reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting
Moderator: Relmond P. Van Daniker, DBA, CPA, Executive Director, AGA

The presenter has spent the past 18 months uncovering widespread fraud in Wisconsin’s child-care subsidy program. Her recent series, “Cashing in on Kids,” exposed a trail of phony companies, fake reports and shoddy oversight costing taxpayers millions of dollars. The stories prompted sweeping reforms, new laws and a crackdown on unscrupulous child-care providers. Regulators cut public funding to more than 170 providers suspected of cheating the program and several have been sent to prison. The “Cashing in on Kids” series won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting as well as a George Polk Award, the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting and the Worth Bingham Prize for Investigative Journalism.

FOS: AUDG                           
Audience: All

 

4:20 p.m.
Closing Remarks
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