[StBernard] LRA Audit Panel Proposes Hiring Integrity Monitors for Recovery Projects

[Westley Annis]

Audit Subcommittee Proposes Hiring Integrity Monitors for Recovery Projects
Also Hears Updates from Legislative Auditor, Inspector General


BATON ROUGE, La. --  Louisiana should use "integrity monitors" to oversee
recovery project contracts as it moves forward with rebuilding, Louisiana
Recovery Authority Audit Subcommittee Chairman Virgil Robinson and Vice
Chairman James Davison said in a subcommittee meeting Tuesday.  

Integrity monitors, or Independent Private Sector Inspectors General
(IPSIG's) as they are also referred to,  are commonly used in many disaster
related projects where large amounts of taxpayer money are being utilized,
such as the World Trade Center cleanup site in New York.  The idea would be
to have these monitors with different areas of expertise (legal,
engineering, accounting, construction, etc.) follow the contract process
every step of the way to ensure projects are completed on time and on budget
and to remove any doubt as to the integrity of the process.

The subcommittee will explore this concept closely to see how the LRA may
incorporate integrity monitors into the state's rebuilding and recovery
efforts, Chairman Robinson said. 

"The state is putting in place a thorough, independent auditing and
accountability process to ensure the honest use of federal funds during the
recovery.  The use of 'integrity monitors' could provide an additional layer
of oversight at the project level, which would give the LRA and the public
solid information on how every penny is spent," explained LRA Executive
Director Andy Kopplin.

Chairman Virgil Robinson applauded the efforts of the Legislative Auditor
Steve Theriot and the Inspector General Sharon Robinson and their respective
staffs in tracking purchases and expenditures of state and local government
in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The Legislative Auditor's
Office is largely working with local entities in the documentation and FEMA
reimbursement process, while the Inspector General's Office is lending a
hand to state agencies.

FEMA payments to state agencies thus far total $35.5 million dollars
according to Inspector General Robinson, with many agencies working with
FEMA on outstanding reimbursements. Legislative Auditor Steve Theriot said
proper documentation is the most crucial factor in obtaining those
reimbursements for both state and local governments.

"One of the goals of this group is the validation that this indeed is a new
day in Louisiana when it comes to accountability in this recovery process,"
said subcommittee Chairman Virgil Robinson.  He added that the LRA is
committed to "total transparency" as it moves forward.

The LRA, a 26- member body appointed by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
to identify and prioritize short and long-term needs of the recovery, is the
planning and coordinating body that will assist in implementing the
Governor's vision for the recovery of Louisiana.  It will seek out and value
local input as it plans and implements the recovery. 

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF), Louisiana's fund for
Louisiana's people, has been established by Governor Kathleen Babineaux
Blanco in order to support long-term family restoration and recovery and
help provide assistance to our citizens in need through a network of
Louisiana charities and non-profit agencies. 

1-877-HELPLA1 (877-435-7521) www.louisianahelp.org