Accomplishments of FBI Undercover Operations
GGD-84-79: Published: Aug 21, 1984. Publicly Released: Sep 20, 1984.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
(202) 512-7797
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the accuracy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) reporting of accomplishments resulting from undercover operations.
GAO found that, in 1982, FBI reported that its undercover operations: (1) resulted in 680 convictions, $4.4 million in fines, $63.9 million in recoveries, $5.7 million in asset forfeitures, $1.4 million in restitutions, and $741.1 million in potential economic losses prevented; (2) cost $5.9 million, excluding costs for salaries and for litigation resulting from undercover operations. Most of the accomplishments checked by GAO were accurately reported, but GAO found some recurring errors, including: (1) reported accomplishments which did not result from undercover operations; (2) reported accomplishments which were misclassified; (3) data processing errors; and (4) unreported accomplishments. GAO also found that: (1) FBI accomplishment reports do not recognize contributions made by other law enforcement agencies; (2) about half of the total dollar value of the accomplishments reported was composed of the face value of counterfeit negotiable securities seized by FBI; and (3) FBI reports the dollar value of seized narcotics as part of the total value of recoveries. GAO believes that modifications FBI made to its accomplishment review procedures will improve the accuracy of reporting and reduce reporting errors.
Recommendation for Executive Action
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Attorney General should direct the Director, FBI, to report to Congress and the public the value of seized narcotics separately from other accomplishments classified as recoveries.
Agency Affected: Department of Justice
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations
»
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations
Oct 26, 2020
Intellectual Property:
CBP Has Taken Steps to Combat Counterfeit Goods in Small Packages but Could Streamline EnforcementGAO-20-692: Published: Sep 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 26, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
-
Federal Criminal Restitution:
Department of Justice Has Ongoing Efforts to Improve Its Oversight of the Collection of Restitution and Tracking the Use of Forfeited AssetsGAO-20-676R: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
Sep 10, 2020
-
Federal Tactical Teams:
Characteristics, Training, Deployments, and InventoryGAO-20-710: Published: Sep 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 10, 2020.
Sep 8, 2020
-
VA Police:
Actions Needed to Improve Data Completeness and Accuracy on Use of Force Incidents at Medical CentersGAO-20-599: Published: Sep 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 8, 2020.
Aug 13, 2020
-
Anti-Money Laundering:
FinCEN Should Enhance Procedures for Implementing and Evaluating Geographic Targeting OrdersGAO-20-546: Published: Jul 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 13, 2020.
Jul 29, 2020
-
Federal Prison Industries:
Actions Needed to Evaluate Program EffectivenessGAO-20-505: Published: Jul 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 2020.
Jul 8, 2020
-
Gun Control:
DOJ Can Further Improve Guidance on Federal Firearm Background Check RecordsGAO-20-528: Published: Jul 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 8, 2020.
Jun 22, 2020
-
Federal Prisons:
Additional Analysis Needed to Determine Whether to Issue Pepper Spray to Minimum Security PrisonsGAO-20-342: Published: Jun 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2020.
May 26, 2020
-
Bureau of Prisons:
Improved Planning Would Help BOP Evaluate and Manage Its Portfolio of Drug Education and Treatment ProgramsGAO-20-423: Published: May 26, 2020. Publicly Released: May 26, 2020.
May 12, 2020
-
Forensic Technology:
Algorithms Used in Federal Law EnforcementGAO-20-479SP: Published: May 12, 2020. Publicly Released: May 12, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Justice and Law Enforcement
Explore our other Key Issues here
