I am pleased to present the Independent Office of the BART Inspector General's 2026 Semiannual Report, which summarizes the OIG’s audit, investigation, and monitoring activities for the first half of the fiscal year.

Guided by our mandate for independent oversight and our commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public resources, the OIG focused this reporting period on high-risk areas across the District. Our work emphasized not only identifying issues, but ensuring results and follow-through beyond report issuance. Through audits, investigations, and monitoring, we sought to strengthen internal controls, improve decision-making, and support sound governance.

During the first half of FY26, the OIG advanced major audits, addressed allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse, and continued to monitor the District’s implementation of prior recommendations. Our investigative work resulted in nearly $2 million in recoveries to date, including settlements related to unsupported contractor invoicing and improper vendor billing. We also identified governance and transparency gaps in complex, high-profile projects, underscoring the importance of clear communication, oversight, and accountability at every level of the organization.

The report highlights trends in whistleblower complaints, investigative outcomes, and corrective actions taken by management, as well as the status and aging of audit and investigation recommendations. It also outlines progress on ongoing audits—including inventory management, workers’ compensation, non-revenue vehicles, and major service disruptions—and describes upcoming work focused on strengthening recommendation follow-up through additional review and verification efforts to ensure corrective actions are implemented in practice and lead to lasting improvement.

In addition, the report provides information on the OIG’s budget and expenditures, oversight value and impact, monitoring activities, and engagement efforts aimed at increasing public awareness of the OIG’s role and work. Effective oversight depends on independence, access, and transparency, and these efforts reflect our continued commitment to serving the Board, the District, and the public interest.

The report below provides more details on our work for the first half of Fiscal Year 2026.

BART OIG Fiscal Year 2026 Semiannual Report Final.pdf

To access all of the Office of the Inspector General’s reports, please visit our website at www.bart.gov/oig.

Respectfully,

Claudette Biemeret
Inspector General
Email: InspectorGeneral@bart.gov
Phone: 510-464-6141