OIG Criticizes CFTC's Stress Testing Program

In its semi-annual report to Congress covering the period October 1st, 2018 through March 31st, 2019, the CFTC Office of the Inspector General ("OIG") expressed "disappoint[ment]" with the CFTC's lack of progress in addressing whistleblower allegations of mismanagement by the Risk Surveillance Branch of the CFTC Division of Clearing and Risk.

Following complaints voiced by multiple CFTC whistleblowers, the OIG criticized the Risk Surveillance Branch for:

• hampering the development of CFTC stress-testing capabilities;
• undermining efforts to improve the usability of uncleared swaps data;
• blocking various employees from accessing certain information technology resources; and