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Release Date: May 13, 2008
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: Gayla Keller, 202-572-8853
Major General Douglas O’Dell, President Bush’s newly appointed federal coordinator for Gulf Coast rebuilding, hosted a meeting of key federal cabinet and agency inspectors general to highlight and discuss potential federal assistance for the recently created office of New Orleans Inspector General, headed by Robert Cerasoli, who attended the meeting. The New Orleans inspector general plays a leading role – working closely with federal and state law enforcement – to identify and reduce fraud in government programs, address public corruption in New Orleans, and help monitor more than $120 billion in federal investment in the Gulf Coast region.
“Inspector General Cerasoli’s responsibilities are critical to the long-term viability of New Orleans,” said O’Dell. “New Orleans’ residents should be fully aware of the status of rebuilding efforts and programs designed to help them. All citizens have a time-honored expectation that they can trace tax dollars from federal government to state government to local government in order to see where their money goes and what it is spent on. The federal and Louisiana state governments have worked hard to provide that transparency to the public during the ongoing rebuilding effort from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and Inspector General Cerasoli is determined to establish similar levels of transparency and controls in New Orleans city government as well.”
Inspector General Cerasoli detailed opportunities related to establishing a team of 37 professional staff within his office. Cerasoli, who formerly served as the inspector general of Massachusetts, has conducted numerous high profile investigations related to the “big dig” project in Boston and other matters. At the meeting federal representatives expressed willingness to support Cerasoli’s work in conjunction with federal and state oversight efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the Gulf Coast region. Federal assistance may include technical assistance, expedited resolution of issues involving federal funds, and rapid assistance from federal inspector general teams in areas of cooperation.
“Strong local oversight and program risk reduction will complement federal and state efforts,” O’Dell stated. “Stopping mistakes and corruption before it happens protects New Orleans residents so they are not victimized again by inefficiency or waste. It’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure Cerasoli has the necessary tools for success.”
General O’Dell and Cerasoli also met with Gene Dedaro, acting comptroller general of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and senior GAO staff to discuss the current and future operations of the New Orleans Office of the Inspector General.
General O’Dell indicated his office will host another strategy session with federal inspectors general and their Gulf Coast and New Orleans field organizations within the next month in New Orleans. General O’Dell indicated he is intensely focused on ensuring the people of New Orleans have full knowledge of how federal funds are being spent to rebuild their city.
“I want to thank General O’Dell and the federal inspectors general community for their support and commitment to the New Orleans Office of the Inspector General,” said Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., chairman of the New Orleans Ethics Review Board and President of Loyola University. “New Orleans’ crime and public corruption must be addressed in order to maintain public confidence and the support of businesses willing to invest in our economic redevelopment. Failure is not an option and I am encouraged to see this level of national support for this office and New Orleans.”
The following agencies and departments were represented in the strategy meeting:
The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has been engaged in facilitating and streamlining the recovery effort, providing key federal support and resources to state and local leaders, as well as reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast.
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This page was last reviewed/modified on May 13, 2008.