Announcement Of Northern Virginia Public Corruption/Government Fraud Task Force

Today, the FBI's Washington Field Office hosted a press briefing to announce the collaboration of federal agencies to address public corruption and government fraud in Northern Virginia. This collaborative effort has been named the Northern Virginia Public Corruption/Government Fraud Task Force (NVPCGFTF).

The member agencies of this Task Force are:

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG)
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG)
• Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG)
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation
• Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG)
• U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG)
• Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG)
• Department of Education Office of Inspector General (DOE-OIG)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Washington Field Office

The NVPCGFTF is designed to address public corruption in the following counties of Northern Virginia: Loudoun, Fauquier, Fairfax, Prince William, and Arlington. This multi-agency process will enable the Task Force to combine institutional knowledge from all Task Force members; thus developing the ability to conduct investigations across multiple investigative programs.

The NVPCGFTF will identify, disrupt, and dismantle corruption and government fraud at the state and local level. The Task Force intends to aggressively investigate corruption and fraud to include misconduct by state officials (elected or appointed), county and municipal public officials and employees, and law enforcement officers. The Task Force will maintain liaison with agencies at the federal, state and local levels and will provide training to law enforcement partners to enhance its intelligence base.

The member agencies of the NVPCGFTF are equipped with experienced investigators who are enthused by the prospect of working together in this combined effort of personnel, resources, and knowledge; a force multiplier in the mission against public corruption and government fraud and abuse.

The success of the Task Force relies on its ability to ferret out complaints or reports of possible incidents of corruption and fraud, and its investigators cannot accomplish this daunting task alone. The Task Force needs the assistance of the general public—people who may have witnessed criminal acts first hand by being a victim or by seeing it happen in a home or workplace situation. The NVPCGFTF has addressed the need for the public's help. A web site and phone number have been established for the public to use.

Reports of possible criminal activity pertaining to public corruption or government fraud may be submitted to: nova.corruption@ic.fbi.gov, or call (703) 686-6225.

ALL INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.

The NVPCGFTF cannot fight public corruption in your community without its citizens. Everyone is urged to go on line and read more about the Task Force and learn what public corruption and government fraud are and how the public can help.