Fraud Starts at the Top: Why Culture, Not Just Controls, Is the Government’s Best Defense

Fighting fraud in government starts with leadership, not just controls. On this episode of Fed Gov Today, Francis Rose speaks with GAO’s Rebecca Shea about why culture, accountability, and tone at the top are essential to reducing fraud across federal agencies. Shea explains GAO’s Fraud Risk Management Framework, breaking down its four required components: commit, assess, design and implement, and evaluate and adapt. The conversation explores how agencies measure success, manage fraud risk at both enterprise and program levels, and continuously improve their efforts. The message is clear: effective fraud prevention depends on strong leadership, clear ownership, and a culture that prioritizes integrity.

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