James Gaughran has over 40 years of experience in law enforcement and financial crimes investigation. He began his career with the United States Secret Service in 1975, working there until 1996 including on protective details for Presidents Carter and Reagan. Since then, he has held several leadership roles within the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security focused on investigating fraud, waste, and abuse. Currently, he is the International President of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigation, where he has been an active member since 1984.

1. James Gaughran
International President, IAFCI (International Association of Financial Crimes
Investigation)
JAMES GAUGHRAN began his law enforcement career as a Special Agent with the United States Secret
Service in 1975 until his retirement in 1996. In his 21 years with the Service he served on the
Presidential Protection Division for President’s Carter and Reagan. He was assigned to three field offices
and he was the Special Projects coordinator and the Organized Crime Task force coordinator in
headquarters, prior to his retirement. He also worked as the “Legislative Fellow” in the office of the
Director, for the U. S. House of Representatives. After retiring from the United States Secret Service,
James worked for Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) of the Department of Defense from 1996
until 1998. As the Financial Fraud Manager of DMDC, he directed the development of specialized
programs to integrate financial and personnel data to assist criminal investigators in identifying
fraudulent activity of civilians and military personnel of DoD. This was in direct response to the National
Performance Revenue and the elimination of fraud, waste, and abuse. James then became the Director
of Criminal Investigations with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office Inspector General (VA
OIG). He supervised VA-OIG national and international projects directly responsible for identifying and
investigating fraud, waste and abuse within VA. James has received several awards from the President’s
Council on Integrity and Efficiency for his work in preventing waste, fraud and abuse in VA. After almost
nine years with VA OIG, James left to become Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Postal Service, Office
of Inspector General. He was later promoted to Senior Advisor to the Assistant Inspector General of
Investigations. As advisor, he had oversight over five program areas that the Office of Inspector General
investigates. These programs consist of Internal Mail Theft, Financial Fraud, Healthcare Fraud, Contract
Fraud and General Crimes. Currently, James is the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations
(DHS OIG) at the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General. He is Senior Executive
on the on the staff at the DHS OIG. In his position, he manages a headquarters staff of 30 individuals
who are responsible for the day to day activities of the Office of Investigations. These activities include,
budget, facilities, staffing, policy, Special Investigations and Inspections Division. Jim has been an active
member of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) since 1984, serving as
President and Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter. He has also served on the International
Advisory Board and the Executive Board as the International First Vice President, International
President, Chairman of the Board and is currently the International President of the IAFCI.