Specialty & General Government Bureau
The Specialty & General Government Bureau is managed by the Deputy Inspector General. This bureau safeguards public assets through oversight of specific agencies (both statutory and OIG-created divisions), special government funding (like pandemic relief), public procurement, and state and local government.
Healthcare Division
The Healthcare Division (HCD) was created by Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro to review, analyze, and report on a variety of healthcare policy, delivery, and access issues. In addition, the HCD is responsible for conducting the OIG’s annual study of the Health Safety Net (HSN) and Medicaid programs, as required by Section 96 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023. In doing so, the HCD makes recommendations for improvements to internal controls and programs for the reduction of fraud, waste and abuse to safeguard public funds in the HSN and MassHealth programs.
Public Procurement & General Government Oversight Division
This division focuses on the multitude of areas, including procurement, across state and local government that fall within the OIG’s jurisdiction under Chapter 12A that are not otherwise within a specialty division.
Special Funding Oversight Division
This division coordinates the OIG’s oversight of federal and state funds distributed to state and local government, private entities, non-profits, and others for special purposes or with special conditions, such as COVID-19 relief funds. The division works with state and federal partners to review programs using such funds and offers training and assistance to municipalities and state agencies on rules associated with federal and other special funds.
Health and Human Services (Bureau of Program Integrity)
The Health and Human Services/BPI Division is a statutory division that has oversight of the quality, efficiency, and integrity of programs of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). More than 1 in 4 residents – among them, children, disabled individuals and families needing economic assistance – depend on these programs. Working in collaboration with EOHHS agencies, the division conducts reviews and investigations to support and improve the agencies and their programs.
BPI also responds to EOHHS-related complaints reported on the OIG’s confidential hotline for reporting fraud, waste and abuse.
The enabling statute is Section 16V of Chapter 6A, adopted in August 2013.
Division of State Police Oversight (Massachusetts State Police)
DSPO is a statutory division that monitors the quality and integrity of Massachusetts State Police operations, organizational structure and management functions. The division also monitors policy changes introduced by the Massachusetts State Police to maintain certification and accreditation from state and nationally recognized law enforcement accrediting agencies.
DSPO’s enabling statute is Sections 72-73 of Chapter 22C.
Transportation (Internal Special Audit Unit)
The Transportation Division or ISAU was created by the Legislature in 2009 to monitor the quality, efficiency and integrity of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) operating and capital programs, including Highway Division, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Rail & Transit, Aeronautics Division, as well as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). As a statutory division, the ISAU is mandated to examine and assess MassDOT’s governance, risk-management practices and internal processes to ensure they are adequate and effective. To help protect transportation funds, the division collaborates with MassDOT to identify ways to lower costs, recover funds, and stop wasteful spending. The division also evaluates potential fraudulent and wasteful spending by regional transit authorities, and cities and towns that use Chapter 90 funds for roadway improvements.
The ISAU operates two confidential hotlines – one for the public and one for MassDOT and MBTA employees to report suspected fraud, waste or abuse in public transportation spending. Complaints can be received over the phone, by email and by mail.
The ISAU’s enabling statute is Section 9 of Chapter 6C.
Veterans’ Services Oversight Division
The Veterans’ Services Division oversees services provided to veterans by the Commonwealth and its municipalities. The Division monitors these programs to ensure that public resources earmarked for veterans are accessible to them and are providing the quality of service envisioned by the Legislature and the Administration.
The creation of the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services Secretariat by Governor Healey warranted the creation of a veteran-focused division at the OIG, given that the unit within OIG with oversight of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services no longer had direct jurisdiction and oversight. IG Shapiro believes that oversight of services provided to veterans is a critical responsibility of the OIG.
Legal & Compliance Bureau
The Legal & Compliance Bureau is managed by the General Counsel. This bureau consists of the Office of the General Counsel, the Government Outreach & Public Policy, and the Audit, Oversight and Investigations Divisions.
Audit, Oversight & Investigations (AOI) Division
The AOI Division investigates possible fraud, waste and abuse of public resources across state and local government, with a focus on those agencies not otherwise covered by another OIG division. The division often works closely with other agencies, municipalities, law enforcement and federal and state prosecutors. Investigations can result in criminal or civil prosecution, cost recoveries or civil settlements, or a public report, letter or general advisory with recommendations on how to better protect public resources.
An important source of information comes from the public through the OIG’s confidential, 24-hour hotline for reporting fraud, waste and abuse of public funds and property. These complaints can develop into full investigations or are redirected to the appropriate agency if it falls outside our jurisdiction.
Government Outreach & Public Policy Division
The Government Outreach & Public Policy Division oversees the OIG’s government outreach, municipal engagement, and policy and legislative initiatives. This includes regular communication with state and local elected leaders, identifying common issues of concern, and advocating for oversight policies and legislative changes based on the OIG’s investigations. The division is also responsible for legislative mandates, including review of Construction Management At-Risk projects and public land dispositions.
Office of the General Counsel
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) serves as in-house counsel for the Inspector General and the OIG, providing legal support across all OIG divisions and core mission including investigations, employment, compliance, and litigation. The OGC provides legal research and analysis for the OIG’s education and legislative initiatives, including producing content for the OIG’s quarterly newsletter, the OIG Bulletin.
The OGC supports the Inspector General Council, which assists the Inspector General in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under Chapter 12A of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Operations, Training & Publications Bureau
The Operations, Training & Publications Bureau is managed by the Chief Operations Officer and plays a crucial role within the OIG. It is responsible for a variety of functions, including budgeting, revenue, auditing, financial reporting, office administration, procurement, operations, information technology, communications, publications, human resources, data analytics, and records management. It also includes the Learning & Development Division, which provides training and technical assistance to state and municipal employees on a range of issues related to sound management of public resources.
The Learning & Development Division
The Learning & Development Division offers comprehensive training and support to all public employees to promote excellence in public procurement, sound governance, and the protection of public resources through the OIG Academy, the Chapter 30B hotline, and the OIG Bulletin.
Off-site, in-person training on public procurement principles, fraud prevention and good governance is available for a variety of public and private organizations.
Data Analytics
The Data Analytics Division uses exploratory data analysis, statistical analysis, machine learning, and visual analytics to assist other divisions in their work to promote good government. The division develops data management processes and standards and coordinates the data analysis needs of the OIG, ensuring consistency, integrity, security, compliance, and availability of data.
Other divisions include:
- The Communications Division responds to media inquiries, publishes press releases, media advisories, social media content, mass.gov pages, and news.
- The Fiscal Division manages all financial matters including budgeting, payroll, and procurement.
- The Human Resources Division manages all recruitment and hiring for the Inspector General’s Office as well as employee benefits and professional development.
- The IT & Cybersecurity Division manages all internal technology training, data and files, and assists with troubleshooting. In addition, the division ensures cybersecurity protocols are followed.
- The Operations Division ensures that the office infrastructure functions properly and assists with procurement and management of office resources.
- The Publications Division writes, edits, and prepares OIG reports, letters and advisories for publication.
- The Special Projects Division handles additional projects from start to finish to support the OIG’s mission-driven divisions.
Contact for Office of the Inspector General Bureaus
Phone
Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-F
Address
| Date published: | April 19, 2024 |
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