Joint Civilian Orientation Conference Program
Abstract
We reviewed whether the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) (ASD(PA)) administered the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC) program in accordance with public law and DoD policies. This is the third in a series of audits conducted at the request of the ASD(PA) to review the organizational structure and internal controls within that office. We reviewed documentation supporting the three conferences conducted from October 15, 2006, through November 11, 2007. The ASD(PA) did not ensure that his office effectively administered the JCOC program. Specifically, the program managers did not adhere to the legal requirements, violated the Miscellaneous Receipts Statute, and incurred a potential Antideficiency Act violation. Program managers also failed to implement section 2262, title 10, U.S. Code correctly; misused Official Representation Funds; and may have violated DoD ethics rules. The JCOC managers augmented their budget by collecting and using participant fees without legal authority and by spending $97,308 allocated to American Forces Information Service appropriated funds to contract for conference planning services. Internal controls over the JCOC program were ineffective. We recommend that the ASD(PA) work with other DoD entities to implement detailed procedures in DOD Instruction 5410.19 to ensure that the JCOC program complies with section 2262, title 10, U.S. Code and update other JCOC program guidance; include the JCOC program in the annual budget formulation process and prepare an annual budget submission for all future conferences; investigate whether the collection and use of conference fees violated public law and whether gift acceptance practices violated DoD ethics rules; report any violation of public law or ethics rules to the Office of the Secretary of Defense; and review and reconcile the funding and expenditures for one conference and deposit any residual conference fees into the U.S. Treasury.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 09, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA512878
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense