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Kaiserslautern American
October 25, 2013
OSI: Help stop fraud in KMC The Air Force Office of Special Investigations’ 13th Field Investigations Squadron, Economic Crimes Division, is accomplishing one of the Air Force’s top priorities: to detect, defeat and deter fraud impacting force acquisitions and base-level capabilities. In much the same way the Eagle Eyes program relies on citizens to report suspicious indicators of terrorism, economic crime investigations often rely on conscientious government employees and contractors to report suspected fraud, waste or abuse. The federal government is beset by fraud on all fronts. For instance, in fiscal year 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice secured nearly $5 billion in settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act in cases involving fraud against the government. Moreover, amounts recovered under the False Claims Act in 2012 exceeded the previous one-year record by $1.7 billion, according to the Justice Department’s website, www.justice.gov. “It’s the people out there doing their job who actually detect fraud,” said OSI Special Agent Lawrence Valdez. “Law enforcement personnel can’t be everywhere at all the times, so we rely on the government personnel to be a force multiplier in identifying fraudulent or suspicious activities.” In general terms, fraud is “a willful misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining something of value.” Fraud costs American taxpayers more than the combined annual spending of many countries in the world. Examples of fraud investigations include false pay and allowance claims, Government Purchase Card, acquisition and construction, and fraud within services provided on base. Two recent cases investigated by OSI at Ramstein recovered more than $3 million, which was later used to fund other projects in the KMC. Both investigations revealed contractors intentionally deceived the government for monetary gain. The success of both investigations relied heavily on individuals reporting suspicious activity to OSI and its law enforcement partners. OSI Special Agent Tanner Collins emphasized the “big picture” in terms of what results from fraud investigations. “There are measurable dollar savings, accidents are prevented and lives preserved,” he said. “Taken together, these things enhance our combat readiness and increase the public’s confidence in the U.S. Air Force.” OSI provides briefings to educate base personnel about fraud. “We don’t expect everyone to know what constitutes fraud or how to identify it,” Valdez said. “We are always looking for opportunities to give fraud awareness briefings and to educate people in all career fields about common fraud schemes.” To request a fraud awareness briefing or to report suspicious behavior, contact OSI 13 FIS ECD at 0631-536-8341 or 489-8341, or by email at afosi.13fis.ol-j@ogn.af.mil.Callers. Writers have the option to remain anonymous. To learn more about the OSI mission, visit www.osi.af.mil. (Courtesy of OSI)
Photo by Ignacio “Iggy” Rubalcava
A taste of Hispanic culture Guests at the Hispanic heritage luncheon, including Maj. (P) Shane R. Cuellar, guest speaker for the event, and his wife, Claudia, help themselves to a variety of Latin dishes Oct. 15 on Baumholder’s Smith Barracks. For the fourth consecutive year, a Mexican restaurant from Einsiedlerhof provided the free food for Baumholder’s Hispanic heritage observance. Cuellar covered a variety of topics in his presentation ranging from what it was like growing up in a typical west Texas Hispanic family, Hispanic food and cultural traditions, and the military legacy of his ancestors.
Dodgeball Invitational
The Dodgeball Invitational will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Landstuhl Physical Fitness Center, Bldg. 3720 on Landstuhl Post. There should be eight-player teams. Team entry costs $5. Register on the day of the event, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Open to ID cardholders 18 and over and not in high school. For more information, call 486-7172 or 06371-86-7172.
Fitness center construction
The basketball floor at the Vogelweh Fitness Center will be closed temporarily starting Nov. 4 to replace the floor. Re-opening is scheduled for January. Check with your fitness center staff for exact details. For more information, call 4807138/7329.
Unit-level basketball league
Those interested in playing in the unit-level basketball league beginning in November must sign up by Nov. 7. Games will be held at the Miesau Physical Fitness Center, Bldg. 1220 on Miesau Army Depot. There will be a coaches meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Rhine Ordnance Barracks Fitness Center, Bldg. 172. Units wishing to participate should contact Quinton Floyd at 4932087 or 0631-3406-2087, or quinton.floyd.civ@ mail.mil.
Recreational soccer
Meet new people, get in shape and play soccer from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday at the Miesau Fitness Center, Bldg. 1220. Open to U.S. ID cardholders ages 16 and over, Department of Defense civilians and retirees. To play or for more
information, contact Robert Michels at 486-8939 or 06371-86-8939.
Indoor fall soccer clinics
Sign up your child or youth for SKIESUnlimited indoor fall soccer clinics, taught by professional soccer coaches. Clinics are held until December at the Special Events Center, Bldg. 237 on Rhine Ordnance Barracks, for ages 3-18. To find out more or to enroll, contact Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation One Stop Shop, Bldg. 3810 on Landstuhl Post, or Parent Central Services, Bldg. 2898 on Pulaski Barracks, at 493-4516/4122 or 0631-3406-4516/4122.
Volleyball players needed
• Men and women are needed to fill spots on U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz community level volleyball teams. If you are an experienced player (18 years old or older and out of high school), contact one of the following individuals: » Wilford “Lefty” Byrd, wilford.w.byrd.ctr@mail. mil, 481-3558 or 0160-6666102 » Ariana Suerodelgado, ariana.suerodelgado@dla. mil, 483-4023 or 0174-9453248 » Capt. Paolo Briones, paolo.c.briones.mil@mail. mil, 484-7997 or 0171-7705358 • Men and women are needed to fill spots on Ramstein varsity volleyball teams. If you are an experienced player (18 years old or older and out of high school), contact one of the following individuals: » Richard Krutop, 489-2134, Richard.krutop@ us.af.mil » Bernard Kahao, 480-9557, Bernard.kahao@ us.af.mil