Summary

This report presents the results of our audit of expenditures reported by the Office of Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald for the 6 months ended September 30, 2007. The independent counsels were required under 28 U.S.C. 596 (c)(1) to prepare a statement of expenditures on a semiannual basis. Under 28 U.S.C. 596 (c)(2 ), we were required to conduct a financial review of a midyear statement and a financial audit of a year-end statement. We satisfied this requirement through semiannual financial audits of the statement of expenditures. For the 6 months ended September 30, 2007, there were no active independent counsels. However, we are required to perform a semiannual financial review of expenditures from the permanent indefinite appropriation used to pay special counsel Fitzgerald's expenses. While not required under the permanent indefinite appropriation to perform a financial audit, we have done so for special counsel Fitzgerald--as we previously performed for independent counsels approved under the expired law.

In GAO's audit covering the 6 months ended September 30, 2007, GAO found the statement of expenditures for the Office of Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald, is presented fairly, in all material respects, in conformity with the basis of accounting described in note 1 of the counsel's statement, which is principally the cash basis, a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; Special Counsel Fitzgerald had effective internal control over financial reporting (including safeguarding assets) and compliance with laws and regulations as of September 30, 2007; and no reportable noncompliance with laws and regulations GAO tested.