U.S. Courts: The Judiciary Should Improve Its Policies on Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Investigations

By The U.S. Government Accountability Office

The federal judiciary investigates fraud, waste, and abuse allegations to hold its judges and staff accountable for their conduct as government officials and managers of public resources. But federal judiciary policies for addressing alleged fraud, waste, and abuse don't fully align with investigative best practices on establishing documented procedures and ensuring independence. For example, investigations are referred to the same unit from which the allegations originated—raising concern about independence and transparency. We recommended that an independent office be created to carry out the judiciary's fraud, waste, and abuse program.

Washington, DC: GAO, 2022. 50p.