On Friday, February 25, the College welcomed Doug Shoemaker, former special agent-in-charge for the Northeast Region for the Department of Transportation (DOT). Prior to retiring, Shoemaker managed all criminal investigations conducted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the DOT throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New England.  

His presentation focused on aviation fraud awareness and the investigative jurisdiction into any fraud that occurs and how OIG investigators have full federal law enforcement authority and may use numerous tools and techniques necessary for conducting investigations. Some of those tools include document analysis, forensic computer examinations, execution of search and arrest warrants, undercover operations and several others. In addition, Shoemaker presented several of the OIG cases he was assigned to. The examples included illegal maintenance on airplanes, flight instructor not having his airmen’s certificate, pilots flying without a valid license and a man illegally flying a helicopter. Additionally, Shoemaker noted that drone violations are becoming more frequent. 

At the end of the event, students and faculty had the opportunity to converse with Shoemaker regarding OIG investigations and other industry-related concerns.