From:
To:

Subject:
Date:

Means Erin EAS
Fisher. Jamie EAS
FW: Planet Aid Investigation
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 12:20:12 PM

From: Fisher, Jamie FAS

Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 2:28 PM
To: Burnett, Jared (FAS)
Cc: Means, Erin FAS; Feustel, Dorothy (FAS); Croushorn, Ron FAS; Fusaro, Vincent (FAS)
Subject: RE: Planet Aid Investigation

Jared,
We have been growing increasingly concerned about the number and frequency of the complaints
that we have been receiving about Planet Aid. There are hints of potential fraud and abuse of USG
resources. In response to the complaints, we have undertaken a careful review of Planet Aid's
program budgets and we have also conducted several monitoring trips to see their programs in the
field. Thus far, we have not identified any problems and everyone who visits their programs
reports that they are performing very well. There are also no recent audit finding that would
create cause for concern. However, the FBI did an investigation of its own several years ago and we
don't have access to all of the findings from their report. We also don't know for sure whether
there is any truth to any of the allegations that have been made by Ms. Fritzler and Ms. Alonge in
their various messages to Ron Croushorn.
As a result, we think that a more in-depth investigation is necessary. We ask that you reach out to
the OIG to request their assistance in looking into the complaints about Planet Aid .
If you have any questions, we would be more than happy to sit down and talk through some of our
concerns. At this stage, however, we strongly believe that a professional investigation is the best
course of action.
Thank you!
Jamie
From: Croushorn, Ron FAS

Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 8:55 AM
To: Fisher, Jamie FAS; Burnett, Jared (FAS); Fusaro, Vincent (FAS)
Subject: Planet Aid

Jared,
We are getting more documents about Planet Aid. Is there any update on the contact with the
FBI?
Thanks.

 Means Erin FAS
Fisher Jamie FAS
EW: Report Follow up Inquiry
Tuesday, October 16/ 2012 12:20:20 PM

From:

To:
Subject:
Date:

From: Fisher, Jamie FAS
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 20129:57 AM
To: Fusaro, Vincent (FAS)
Cc: Croushorn, Ron FAS; Means, Erin FAS
Subject: RE: Report Follow up Inquiry

Hi Vinny. I apologize for not getting back to you in response to this message sooner. I was
participating in the JAM audit with Marianne during the last two weeks.
We would like to thank you and Jared for following up with the OIG and for attempting to follow
up with the FBI on this issue. Since we continue to receive messages from concerned citizens in
relation to Planet Aid, we want to be sure that we have done everything possible from our end to
investigate their claims. Please let us know if you manage to get in contact with anyone at the FBI.
Best regards,
Jamie

From: Fusaro, Vincent (FAS)
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 10:46 AM
To: Fisher, Jamie FAS
Cc: Croushorn, Ron FAS
Subject: Report Follow up Inquiry

Hello Jamie,
This is regarding our discussion last week about Jared reaching out to OIG for further
information on the Planet Aid FBI report issued in 2001. I spoke with Jared about this and
your concerns. Unfortunately Jared told me that OIG said they did not have any contacts
with the FBI. Jared said that he asked someone from our Security Office to attempt to
contact the FBI (without having a specific contact at the agency) and see if an agent would
speak with us regarding the report. However, there hasn't been any luck with this attempt
either. At this point it seems that obtaining further information regarding the report issued
in 2001 is unlikely.
Jared also told me that unless sufficient evidence of fraud or criminal activity is produced;
OIG won't make a referral to another agency regarding initiating an investigation.
Regards,
Vincent

J.

Fusaro