News and Updates, Office of the Inspector General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts News and Updates,Office of the Inspector General,Commonwealth of Massachusetts http://www.mass.gov/ig/newsandupdates.xml http://www.mass.gov/ig/newsandupdates.html © 2011 Commonwealth of Massachusetts 2012-04-06T00:00:00Z 2012 Annual Report Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/about-us/annual-reports/annrpt2012.pdf 2013-05-02T00:00:00Z 2013-05-02T00:00:00Z

2012 Highlights:
• The Office's investigations resulted in recoveries, fines and penalties of $12,628,924;
• The Office identified potential cost savings of $233,548,146;
• The Office completed a review of an energy management services contract, which resulted in a settlement.

 Contracting Violations at the Brockton Public School District’s Facilities Department, April 2013 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2013/brockton-public-schools-contracting-april-2013.pdf 2013-04-22T00:00:00Z 2013-04-22T00:00:00Z Ongoing Analysis of the Health Safety Net Trust Fund: MassHealth’s New Prepayment Obligations, March 2013 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2013/health-safety-net-march-2013.pdf 2013-03-06T00:00:00Z 2013-03-06T00:00:00Z Report Pursuant to Section 182 of Chapter 139 of the Acts of 2012: Assessing MassHealth’s Identification and Recovery of Noncustodial Parents’ Health Insurance - Executive Summary, March 2013 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2013/assessing-masshealth-identification-and-recovery-of-noncustodial-parents-health-insurance-2013.html 2013-01-15T00:00:00Z 2013-01-15T00:00:00Z Inspector General Office Review of Eligibility for the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program - Executive Summary, January 2013 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2013/maoig-review-of-eligibility-for-the-transitional-aid-to-families-with-dependent-children-program-jan-2013.html 2013-01-15T00:00:00Z 2013-01-15T00:00:00Z Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General Part of Combined Probe Leading to Federal Charges Against the Former Executive Director of Chelsea Housing Authority, January 2013 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2013/oig-combined-probe-leads-to-federal-charges-chelsea-housing-jan-2013.html 2013-01-15T00:00:00Z 2013-01-15T00:00:00Z Inspector General Joint Investigation of a City of Quincy Energy Management Contract Leads to Settlement Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2013/oig-joint-investigation-of-quincy-energy-contract.html 2013-01-15T00:00:00Z 2013-01-15T00:00:00Z

Inspector General Joint Investigation with the Attorney General's Office of a City of Quincy Energy Management Contract Leads to Settlement.

 January 2013, Vol. 19, #1, Procurement Bulletin Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/procurement-bulletins/nljan13.pdf 2013-01-14T00:00:00Z 2013-01-14T00:00:00Z

Inside the January 2013 Procurement Bulletin:
- New MCPPO schedule and information on new classes;
- Article on the Supreme Judicial Court's ruling on an energy broker contract; and
- Article on an Attorney General's Office settlement on behalf of the MBTA.

 2013 Legislative Proposals Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/legislation/initiatives/inspector-general-2013-legislative-proposals.html 2012-12-07T00:00:00Z 2012-12-07T00:00:00Z

In compliance with Section 33 of Chapter 30 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Inspector General submitted four legislative proposals for the 2013 session of the General Court.

 Contracting Violations at the East Bridgewater Fire Department, November 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/east-bridgewater-fire-department-report-11-2012.pdf 2012-12-05T00:00:00Z 2012-12-05T00:00:00Z October 2012, Vol. 18, #3 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/procurement-bulletins/nloct12.pdf 2012-10-31T00:00:00Z 2012-10-31T00:00:00Z

Inside the Newest Procurement Bulletin:
- Letter from the New Inspector General
- New 18th Filed Sub-bid Category
- Hiring Certified Public Accountants - Best Practices 
- New MCPPO designees
- July-December 2012 MCPPO Schedule

 MA OIG To Take Over Hinton Drug Laboratory Operations Independent Review Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov 2012-10-18T00:00:00Z 2012-10-18T00:00:00Z

Inspector General Cunha agreed today to take charge of the review of the Hinton Drug Laboratory. Cunha plans to look at the lab's operations, paying particular attention to its policies and procedures. Link to Governor's press release.

 MA OIG Employment Opportunities Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov 2012-10-18T00:00:00Z 2012-10-18T00:00:00Z

Update December 6, 2012: There are no positions available at this time.

Update October 31, 2012: The deadline for the Program Coordinator and Associate General Counsel positions has passed.  The deadline for the Director of Internal Special Audit Unit position has been extended. 

The Office of the Inspector General is seeking candidates to fill three positions - Director of Internal Special Audit Unit, Program Coordinator, Associate General Counsel.  The job descriptions are available at the Human Resources Department website.  

 Lowell Housing Authority Review Regarding Allegations of Illegal Removal of Asbestos and Lead Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/lowell-housing-authority-review-october-2012.pdf 2012-10-15T00:00:00Z 2012-10-15T00:00:00Z

The MA OIG found no evidentiary basis of allegations of illegal removal and disposal of asbestos and lead.

 Inspector General Council Notice of Meeting 3-13-13 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/inspector-general-council-notice-of-meeting-3-13-13.html 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z Inspector General Council Notice of Meeting 1-07-13 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/inspector-general-council-notice-of-meeting-1-07-13.html 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z Inspector General Council Notice of Meeting 12-20-12 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/inspector-general-council-notice-of-meeting-12-20-12.html 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z Inspector General Council Notice of Meeting 11-29-12 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/inspector-general-council-notice-of-meeting-11-29-12.html 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z Inspector General Council Notice of Meeting Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/inspector-general-council-notice-of-meeting.html 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z Inspector General Council Notice of Meeting 3-13-13 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/inspector-general-council-notice-of-meeting-3-13-13.html 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z 2012-09-21T00:00:00Z Inspector General Cunha Selects Leadership Team to Aide in Transition Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/inspector-general-cunha-selects-leadership-team.html 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z

Transition team brings extensive finance, civil, business, legal, & investigation experience

 Massachusetts Inspector General Joint Investigation Leads to Westford Man Pleading Guilty to Wire Fraud Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/inspector-general-joint-investigation-leads-to-westford-man-pleading-guilty.html 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z

Massachusetts Inspector General Joint Investigation Results in the U.S. Attorney Obtaining a Guilty Plea From a Westford Man Charged with Wire Fraud

 Inspector General’s Office Part of Combined Probe Leading to Indictment of Lawrence Officials Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/igo-part-of-combined-probe-leading-to-indictment-of-lawrence-officials.html 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z Two top Lawrence city officials were indicted on corruption charges in a case investigated by staff from the Massachusetts Inspector General’s office, the State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The charges were brought by Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett in a lengthy and ongoing investigation being conducted in concert with the U.S. Attorney’s office. AG Recommends Mandated Procurement Training by the OIG Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/ag-recommends-mandated-procurement-training-by-the-oig.html 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z

AG Recommends Mandated Procurement Training by the OIG

 First Assistant Inspector General Appointment Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/about-us/first-assistant-inspector-general-appointment.html 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z

Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha names Natalie S. Monroe to serve as his First Assistant Inspector General.

 Massachusetts Inspector General Joint Investigation Leads to Charges Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/inspector-general-joint-investigation-leads-to-charges.html 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z 2012-08-20T00:00:00Z

Massachusetts Inspector General Joint Investigation Results in the U.S. Attorney Obtaining Federal Charges of Wire Fraud Against a Westford Man

 IG Council Meeting Notice and Agenda Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/20120821councilagenda.pdf 2012-08-16T00:00:00Z 2012-08-16T00:00:00Z University of Massachusetts Procurement of Analytical Services by the UMMS Commonwealth Medicine Division, August 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/university-massachusetts-procurement-issue-aug-2012.pdf 2012-08-02T00:00:00Z 2012-08-02T00:00:00Z Report Pursuant to Section 156 of Chapter 68 of the Acts of 2011: Rates of Reimbursement to Providers in the MassHealth MCO Program, July 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/rates-of-reimbursement-masshealth-mco-providers-july-2012.pdf 2012-08-02T00:00:00Z 2012-08-02T00:00:00Z Letter to State Treasurer Steven Grossman regarding the Lottery, July 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/lottery-cash-winfall-letter-july-2012.pdf 2012-07-30T00:00:00Z 2012-07-30T00:00:00Z Governor Patrick, Attorney General Coakley and Auditor Bump Name New Inspector General Office of the Inspector General governor http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2012/2012726-new-inspector-general.html 2012-07-26T00:02:48Z 2012-07-26T00:02:48Z June 2012, Vol. 18, #2 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/procurement-bulletins/nljun12.pdf 2012-06-29T00:00:00Z 2012-06-29T00:00:00Z

Inside the Newest Procurement Bulletin:
- Letter from the Inspector General
- Construction Materials Procurements
- New MCPPO designees
- July-December 2012 MCPPO Schedule

 Follow-up Letters To the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) on "The RIDE" Paratransit Services Reports of Feb 2012 and Dec 2011, May 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/mbta-paratransit-report-follow-up-letters-may-2012.pdf 2012-06-29T00:00:00Z 2012-06-29T00:00:00Z

Cost saving, performance enhancement measures and eligibility certification standards recommendations for the MBTA program The RIDE.

 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card Study Delayed Until an Audit is Completed, April 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/ebt-card-study-delayed-april-2012.html 2012-05-07T00:00:00Z 2012-05-07T00:00:00Z Inspector General Investigation of Attempted Bid-Rigging Allegations Results in Attorney General Settlement with Former Plymouth County Commissioner and a Pest Control Company, April 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/inspector-general-investigation-results-in-settlement.html 2012-05-07T00:00:00Z 2012-05-07T00:00:00Z

In December 2010 the Office concluded an investigation into a complaint concerning the quote process for the pest control contract that was to be awarded by the Plymouth County Commissioners. The pest control contract involved pest control services for seven Plymouth County buildings, including the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, the Brockton Superior Court, three District Courts, the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds, and the Plymouth County Commissioners’ Office.  The Office found that collusion and bid rigging occurred in the procurement of the contract.

 2011 Annual Report Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/about-us/annual-reports/annrpt2011.pdf 2012-04-30T00:00:00Z 2012-04-30T00:00:00Z Among the highlights for 2011:
• A case that resulted in a former Methuen school business manager pleading guilty to embezzlement and larceny charges;
• A case resulting in a payment of $800,000 from Verizon New England to the Commonwealth;
• An investigation that led to a former non-profit employee being indicted for a kickback scheme. Greater Lawrence Educational Collaborative (GLEC) Business and Investment Practices, April 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/glec-business-practices-april-2012.pdf 2012-04-26T00:00:00Z 2012-04-26T00:00:00Z

From the Report:
The OIG review identified a number of “red flags” of fraud regarding the creation and administration of the [Retirees’ Health Insurance Trust Fund] annuity and the Trust. The OIG identified legal and other violations that call for training in proper investing and investment practices, greater staff education in applicable municipal finance and public records law, and fraud prevention and trust governance.

 Letter to William Lantigua, Mayor, City of Lawrence, Regarding a Police Department Car Swap, April 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/lawrence-car-swap-april-2012.pdf 2012-04-11T00:00:00Z 2012-04-11T00:00:00Z From the Report:
The LPD clearly did not use competitive sealed bids or a public auction. A sale to an automobile dealer is not a sale in an “established market” since the disposition was a private sale transaction between the LPD and the Dealer. As the disposition of the Department Vehicles failed to meet statutory requirements, the sale was not conducted in a manner required by law.
IG: Lawrence police car swap violated the law - Boston Globe
State watchdog: Lawrence police lost $30K in illegal car swap - Eagle Tribune Boston Public Schools Textbook Procurement, March 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/boston-textbooks-march-2012.pdf 2012-04-06T00:00:00Z 2012-04-06T00:00:00Z From the Report:
...the OIG found that BPS paid approximately 8% more for the books than would the general public. Based on this sampling, the OIG believes that BPS could possibly save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year through more effective procurement practices.
Boston schools overpay for some books, review finds - Boston Globe
IG: Hub schools paid too much for books - Boston Herald The Department of Justice, Office of Carmen M. Ortiz, United States Attorney Issued a Press Release Regarding the Sentencing of Former State Senator Bernard "Joseph" Tully for Wire Fraud Conviction, December 2011 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/former-state-senator-sentenced.html 2012-04-06T00:00:00Z 2012-04-06T00:00:00Z MCPPO Registration Form January-July 2013 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/forms/regmcppo.pdf 2012-03-16T00:00:00Z 2012-03-16T00:00:00Z

Printable copy of the MCPPO Registration Form, list of all seminars, dates, location, and cost.

 March 2012, Vol. 18, #1 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/procurement-bulletins/nlmar12.pdf 2012-03-01T00:00:00Z 2012-03-01T00:00:00Z

Inside the Newest Procurement Bulletin:
- Domain Names, Acquisition of a Top Level Domain Name Under M.G.L. c.30B
- Verizon Settlement Agreement—Municipalities
- Special Requirements for School Transportation Contracts
- Tips to Avoid School Bus Contract Bid Protests and more

 Letter to Dr. Pia Durkin, Superintendent, Attleboro Public School District, Regarding a 2009 School Bus Contract, March 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/attleboro-bus-contract-march-2012.pdf 2012-03-01T00:00:00Z 2012-03-01T00:00:00Z Risk Assessment of the Department of Housing and Community Development's Administration of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), February 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/arra/arra-advisories-and-grant-reviews/low-income-home-energy-assistance-risk-assessment-feb-2012.pdf 2012-02-29T01:00:00Z 2012-02-29T01:00:00Z Response from Jonathan Davis, Acting General Manager, MBTA Regarding the Possible Misuse of an MBTA Parking Lot, Februrary 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/mbta-parking-response-feb-2012.pdf 2012-02-29T00:00:00Z 2012-02-29T00:00:00Z Methuen Public Schools, February 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/arra/arra-sfsf-methuen-feb-2012.pdf 2012-02-27T00:00:00Z 2012-02-27T00:00:00Z Letter to Jonathan Davis, Acting General Manager, MBTA Regarding the Possible Misuse of an MBTA Parking Lot, January 2012 Office of the Inspector General igo http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2012/mbta-parking-jan-2012.pdf 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z