Hagåtña, Guam: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is training staff from its member audit offices to conduct thorough and effective investigations in a workshop from today until 11 June 2026.
Seventeen staff (8 female and 9 male) from the government audit offices of American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) National, FSM Kosrae, FSM Pohnpei, FSM Yap, Guam and the Marshall Islands have gathered for the 4-day in-person workshop.
PASAI Program Director and Certified Fraud Examiner, Sophia H Pretrick, is co-facilitating the workshop with senior staff from the US Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General, Dave House (Special Agent in Charge for Infrastructure Coordination) and Katharine Kovacek (Special Agent).
The theme for the workshop is, Advancing investigative effectiveness through practical techniques and island-style approaches.
Ms Pretrick explained many of PASAI’s member audit offices are mandated to investigate allegations of fraud, waste and abuse of public funds.
“PASAI developed this training so that participants will understand and be able to apply the principles and processes to conduct effective investigations in line with recognised standards.
“There is a range of investigative experience among participants, so I expect staff will benefit from hearing about each other’s successes and challenges.
“All participants will present an investigation action plan having gained the practical understanding needed to conduct ethical and structured investigations from initial allegations through to final case disposition,” she said.
PASAI acknowledges the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Facilitators and participants of the workshop
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Contact information:
Sophia H Pretrick, Program Director PASAI
E: sophia.pretrick@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
