The Division of Federal Initiatives (FI) administers programs and appropriation line items which receive funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), including State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, in a manner designed to minimize the opportunity for waste, fraud, and abuse, and will hold its employees and projects to high standards of conduct with the goal of ensuring that ARPA Funds are used honestly and prudently.
- Fraud is wrongful or criminal deception or misrepresentation intended to result in financial gain for the person making the misrepresentation or for some other person. Fraud includes false representation of fact, making false statements, or concealment of information; offer, payment, or acceptance of bribes and gratuities; submitting false claims; and conspiring to use any of these devices. The term also includes conflict of interest cases and fraudulent use of funds.
- Waste is extravagant, careless, or needless expenditure of government funds, or the consumption of government property that results from deficient practices, systems, controls, or decisions.
- Abuse is improper use of government resources, including funds, but can also include the excessive or improper use of one's position in a manner contrary to its rightful or legally intended use. Examples include misuse of rank, position, or authority or misuse of government funds for oneself or another when it is not clear that there was intentional wrongdoing.
To report fraud, waste, or abuse regarding FI ARPA funds, please complete the below form with as much detail as possible. Allegations may also be reported to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) hotline or federal Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Treasury (Treasury OIG), the federal administrating agency for ARPA Funds.