A daily roundup of just-released investigative reports, drawn from oversight agencies, congressional committees, and government offices across Washington.

TAX ADMINISTRATION: “Repeated Efforts to Modernize Paper Tax Return Processing Have Been Unsuccessful; However, Actions Can Be Taken to Increase Electronic Filing and Reduce Processing Costs” (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration). Recommends that paid tax preparers be required to file returns electronically.

IRAQ: “Review of Security Programs at U.S. Embassy Baghdad” (State Department’s Inspector General). This July 2005 report, recently made public, notes the high costs of providing security for personnel in Baghdad, nearly three-quarters of the embassy budget.

MEDICAL RESEARCH: “National Institutes of Health: Completion of Comprehensive Risk Management Program Essential to Effective Oversight” (Government Accountability Office).

BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH: “Biosafety Laboratories: BSL-4 Laboratories Improved Perimeter Security Despite Limited Action by CDC” (Government Accountability Office). And see hearing on “World at Risk: The Weapons of Mass Destruction Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2009 (S. 1649)” (Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee).

HEALTH CARE: “Evaluation of Suicide Prevention Program Implementation in Veterans Health Administration Facilities January–June, 2009” (Veterans Affairs Department’s Inspector General).

MILITARY PROCUREMENT: “Defense Contracting Integrity: Opportunities Exist to Improve DOD’s Oversight of Contractor Ethics Programs” (Government Accountability Office).

INFORMATION SECURITY: “Sanitization and Disposal of Excess Information Technology Equipment” (Defense Department’s Inspector General).

GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL: “Department of State: Additional Steps Needed to Address Continuing Staffing and Experience Gaps at Hardship Posts” (Government Accountability Office).

GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL: “Department of State: Comprehensive Plan Needed to Address Persistent Foreign Language Shortfalls” (Government Accountability Office).

LAW ENFORCEMENT: “Juvenile Justice: A Time Frame for Enhancing Grant Monitoring Documentation and Verification of Data Quality Would Help Improve Accountability and Resource Allocation Decisions” (Government Accountability Office).

“SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS: Improved Reviews, Federal Guidance, and Data Collection Needed to Address Counting and Claiming Errors” (Government Accountability Office).

“SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS: Changes to Federal Agencies’ Procedures Could Reduce Risk of School Children Consuming Recalled Food” (Government Accountability Office).

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