Tag: Watchdog

At a Jan. 28 hearing, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray stunned lawmakers with an admission that renovation costs for the agency's building ballooned to $145 million. NowÃÂ Federal Reserve investigators want to know why costs have soared to more than three times the original estimate, the Washington Examiner has learned. (Photo: Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner file)

Federal Reserve inspector general to probe spiralling building renovation costs at CFPB

Richard Pollock · February 14, 2014 5:00 am

The only significant recipient of 21st Century Democrats' funds was a dial-for-dollars telemarketing firm that received nearly $2 million since 2009. (Thinkstock)

Most troubled PAC in history flies under radar, squanders Democratic donors’ cash

Luke Rosiak · February 13, 2014 5:00 am

The federal government, which has more than 5.1 million federal and contract employees, spent more than $1 billion in 2011 on background checks. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Background checks need more consistent guidelines, GAO finds

Kelly Cohen · February 13, 2014 5:00 am

Authorities say they've arrested 18 Albany-area residents who scammed New York state out of $150,000 in unemployment benefits. (Photo: Thinkstock)

18 charged in New York state unemployment benefits scam

Washington Examiner · February 13, 2014 5:00 am

The numbers show federal contractors are paid an average of twice what than private sector workers earn in the same position -- and defense contractors earn three times as much as their private sector counterparts, according to a 2012 report by the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Defense contractors make three times private sector wages, numbers show

Logan Porter · February 12, 2014 5:00 am

A federal jury has convicted former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin on charges that he accepted bribes, free trips and other gratuities from contractors in exchange for helping them secure millions of dollars in city work while he was in office. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman, File)

Ex-New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin convicted of taking bribes

Kevin McGill · February 12, 2014 5:00 am

Md. lawmaker wants probe of exchange procurement

Brian Witte · February 11, 2014 10:00 pm

California's political watchdog agency on Monday levied the largest lobbying fine in its history against a firm that violated campaign-contribution laws, mostly related to expensive parties thrown for top political leaders including Gov. Jerry Brown and dozens of state lawmakers. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Lobbying firm fined $133K for gifts to California lawmakers

Associated Press · February 11, 2014 5:00 am

Massachusetts ranked 38 out of 50 in the percent of foster children visited each month by caseworkers, according to 2012 data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the most recent data available. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Massachusetts ranks low when it comes to child welfare, watchdog group says

Washington Examiner · February 11, 2014 5:00 am

Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., said he introduced the measure Tuesday to bring accountability that is lacking in the agency, which more often rewards failure with bonuses than punishes it with terminations. (AP Photo)

Proposal by Rep. Jeff Miller would make firing failing Veterans Affairs bosses easier

Mark Flatten · February 11, 2014 5:00 am

A coalition of progressive and libertarian anti-surveillance activists are hoping to once again leverage the Internet and marshal voter support against the National Security Agency. (Photo: Thinkstock)

National Security

Left and Right supporting bill to limit federal surveillance on Americans

Josh Peterson · February 11, 2014 5:00 am

Former state lab chemist Annie Dookhan, center, stands in Middlesex Superior Court. The Boston Bar Association, a membership organization of about 10,000 attorneys, said more oversight is needed to make sure the state doesn't have a repeat of the crisis caused by Dookhan, whose misconduct at a state drug lab has jeopardized thousands of drug convictions. (AP Photo/The Boston Globe, Suzanne Kreiter, Pool)

Massachusetts legal group says labs need more oversight

Washington Examiner · February 11, 2014 5:00 am