NOAA's Asset Forfeiture Fund, comprised of fines paid for Magnuson-Stevens Act fisheries violations, remains without controls that deter fraud, a newly published report by the U.S. Commerce Department inspector general has found.
Among key findings is that the fund — which has come to epitomize the past dysfunction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's police and litigating units — is not effectively monitored.
That failure creates circumstances that can still allow the misappropriation of money "without detection," the inspector general found
"NOAA has no assurance that all proceeds from assessed fines, penalties and forfeitures are received and accurately recorded," said the report, which was sent Feb. 8 to NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco by Ann C. Eileers, principal assistant IG for audit and evaluation.
Read the complete story from The Gloucester Times