OIG questioned $12,651 of claims totaling $2,024,635 on 20 grants through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Sport Fish Restoration Program (Program) to Mississippi’s Department of Marine Resources. These grants were open during the State fiscal years that ended June 30, 2015, and June 30, 2016.
We the questioned costs occurred due to the Department’s inadequate review of its financial reporting process. In addition, FWS did not identify the excess reimbursements before the grants were closed. The Department acknowledged the excess reimbursement costs claimed and FWS concurred with the recommendations to establish policies and procedures to ensure that drawdowns of Program grant funds are limited to 75 percent of eligible costs incurred, and to develop and implement a process for verifying percentages prior to closing out the grants.