SIGAR

SIGAR Audit and Investigative Teams Win CIGIE Awards for Excellence

Washington, D.C. - Audit and investigative teams of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) were recognized on Tuesday for outstanding achievements at the 15th Annual Inspector General Community awards ceremony.

The awards were presented by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) at an event in the Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. Mr. Paul Light, Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service, New York University - Wagner, provided the keynote address.

"I'm exceptionally proud of the outstanding work that SIGAR teams have performed this year," said Special Inspector General John F. Sopko. “SIGAR staff work under dangerous and challenging conditions and these awards underscore their commitment to protecting American tax dollars in Afghanistan."

One SIGAR audit team was presented the Audit Award for Excellence for its work in identifying actions to improve DOD's accountability over more than 52,000 vehicles, valued at $4 billion, that had been provided to Afghan National Security Forces. Team members included Dan Chen, Tara Chapman, Angela Yarian, and Al Huntington.

A SIGAR investigative team won an Investigation Award for Excellence for its investigation a scheme to defraud the U.S. government in Afghanistan, disrupting a heroin smuggling operation and enhancing the public's confidence in government to deter fraud. The team consisted of investigators from several agencies, including Special Agents Philip Cousin and Wai Man Leung, SIGAR.

Both reports are available online at http://www.sigar.mil/.