The FCC Office of Inspector General (OIG) released their bi-annually report to Congress outlining their activities over the last six months. The report details their activities from October 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. During this time, the OIG focused intensively on investigations, audits, and Universal Service Fund oversight. Within the report, they indicate that their concerns continue to increase about improper payments to E-rate beneficiaries.

The Federal Communications Commission has authorized approximately $900 million in unused funds from previous years be rolled into the pool of available funding for the 2009 Funding Year.

During the Schools and Libraries Committee quarterly meeting held this week, SLD officials reported that they are "optimistic" that there will be sufficient funding available to issue commitments to eligible Priority Two requests at the 87% discount level for Funding Year 2008.

Funding Wave 14 for the 2009 Funding Year was released this week. In this wave, almost $24 million in E-rate funding was committed to 514 applicants across the country. This brings the total amount of funding committed for FY 2009 to $658 million, according to an analysis by Funds For Learning.

The US Senate voted Friday to confirm the nominations of Mignon Clyburn and Meredith Attwell as Commissioners to the FCC. These confirmations filled the slate of five Commissioners.

The FCC has suspended and begun debarment proceedings against two individuals related to criminal convictions associated with illegal activity and the E-rate program. In separate matters, Andre J. Hornsby and Steven Newton each received notices of debarment proceedings from the Federal Communications Commission.

According to a Department of Justice release, Mary Jo LaDuron of Leavenworth, Kansas has entered a guilty plea to making false statements related to an FBI investigation of a conspiracy to defraud the E-rate program. The conspiracy involved Leonard Douglas LaDuron, Benjamin Rowner, and Jay H. Soled; who have all pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy dating back to 1999.

Funds For Learning, the nation's leading E-rate funding compliance services firm, announces the results of the Second Annual National E-rate Survey. Funds For Learning conducted a nationwide survey of E-rate applicants to assess their opinions of the E-rate program.  Hundreds of applicants took part in the survey, which consisted of a short questionnaire and a group discussion open to all participants.

Funds For Learning, the nation's leading E-rate funding compliance services firm, announces the results of the Second Annual National E-rate Survey. Funds For Learning conducted a nationwide survey of E-rate applicants to assess their opinions of the E-rate program.  Hundreds of applicants took part in the survey, which consisted of a short questionnaire and a group discussion open to all participants.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJqhc57jA1A

The USAC Schools and Libraries Committee held a non-quarterly meeting and conditionally recommends, pending FCC approval, to start to issue commitments of FY 2009 priority two applications at the 90% discount band.  According to USAC, it lacks $400 million of necessary funding in order to issue commitments to all potentially fundable 90% requests in the Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance service categories.