Administration and Finance (A&F) Division
The A&F Division plays a crucial role within our office. It is responsible for a variety of functions, including budgeting, human resources, office administration, case management, procurement, operations, information technology and records management.
Audit, Oversight and Investigations (AOI) Division
The AOI division investigates possible criminal and civil wrongdoing in the use of public funds and property. We often work closely with other agencies, municipalities, law enforcement and public prosecutors.
At any time, we may be investigating claims of public corruption or other wrongdoing in a number of public sectors, such as education, energy, housing, public administration, public construction, public safety, public works and social services. As part of the OIG’s commitment to good government, we also investigate and report on the misuse of public funds, even when no crime or civil action is involved.
An important source of our information comes from the public through the OIG’s confidential, 24-hour hotline for reporting fraud, waste and abuse of public funds and property. We value those who come forward to report potential wrongdoing in government, and we take every tip and complaint seriously.
In some cases, these complaints lead to broad investigations, while in other instances we may forward the complaint to the appropriate agency if we determine it is outside our jurisdiction. Our investigations also come from information found during the course of other reviews and activities. Or they may arise from requests for help from other investigative and prosecutorial agencies at the state, local and federal level.
Our work often leads to criminal and civil prosecutions, such as for corruption, theft, time fraud, favoritism in selecting contractors, mismanagement or wasteful spending. Our work may also result in cost recoveries and civil settlements for the Commonwealth.
To prevent the misuse of government assets, we also recommend improvements to internal and financial controls in public funds spending. We may issue public advisories and letters to help state and local governments reduce fraud, waste and abuse.
Bureau of Program Integrity (BPI)
The BPI is an embedded division overseeing 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, we conduct reviews and investigations to support and improve the agencies and their programs.
We also respond to complaints reported on the OIG’s confidential hotline for reporting fraud, waste and abuse and investigate specific areas of concern, looking for root causes and identifying ways to improve processes. We maintain ongoing relationships with EOHHS agencies and consult with them as they carry out necessary changes.
Our enabling statute is Section 16V of Chapter 6A, adopted in August 2013.
Division of State Police Oversight (DSPO)
The DSPO is an embedded division monitoring the quality and integrity of Massachusetts State Police operations, organizational structure and management functions. We also monitor 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.
Additional Resources
Internal Special Audit Unit for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (ISAU MassDOT)
The Legislature created the ISAU in 2009 to monitor the quality, efficiency and integrity of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) operating and capital programs. We are an embedded division within the OIG. We examine and assess MassDOT’s governance, risk-management practices and internal processes to ensure they are adequate and effective, and we collaborate to improve them. MassDOT includes the Highway Division, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Rail & Transit, Aeronautics Division, as well as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
A priority for the ISAU is to protect transportation funds by finding ways for MassDOT to lower costs, recover funds, stop wasteful spending and expose the misuse of transportation funds. In addition to reviewing all MassDOT divisions and MBTA programs and spending, the ISAU evaluates potential fraudulent and wasteful spending by regional transit authorities, and cities and towns that use Chapter 90 funds for roadway improvements.
We offer both a hotline for the public and an internal hotline for MassDOT and MBTA employees to report suspected fraud, waste or abuse in public transportation spending. Our hotlines are confidential. Complaints can be received over the phone, by email and by mail.
We conduct a range of investigations, reviews and audits as a result of the complaints we receive from both hotlines, as well as from other sources. Some of our work results in public reports and letters, while some leads to referrals to other divisions for administrative, civil or criminal action. We also take part in the Registry of Motor Vehicles’ Disability Placard Abuse Task Force and assist in monitoring its placard abuse hotline.
In addition, in 2015 the Legislature tasked us with evaluating the MBTA’s procurement of goods and services under a three-year waiver from the procedures relative to the privatization of contracts (Sections 52 to 55 of Chapter 7). For contracts awarded to private vendors, we review and analyze the quality of the services provided, the contract costs, and whether the outsourcing provided the expected cost savings and benefits to the MBTA.
Our enabling statute is Section 9 of Chapter 6C.
Additional Resources
Legal Division
The Legal Division gives important legal advice to the OIG and manages legal strategy in all of the OIG's litigation. Our attorneys serve as in-house counsel to the OIG, providing advice on contracts and procurements, HR and employment matters, and office policies generally. We respond to subpoenas and other requests for records, represent the OIG in state and federal court, draft and review legislation, teach procurement law and provide guidance on public purchasing matters to local officials.
Our lawyers also assist the OIG’s investigations divisions by taking testimony, analyzing evidence, conducting legal research, and coordinating responses to and enforcing summonses. We collaborate with state, municipal and private entities on legal issues that may arise during an investigation or review.
The Legal Division’s Civil Recovery Unit investigates and develops matters for potential civil recovery. We work closely with the OIG's other investigative units, often partnering on investigations that may lead to the recovery of funds through civil actions. We also consult with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office on litigation matters.
Policy and Government (P&G) Division
The P&G Division oversees the OIG’s policy, healthcare and legislative initiatives. We carry out the legislature’s annual mandate for the OIG to study and review the Massachusetts Medicaid and Health Safety Net programs. We also review state and local agencies to find areas that may be at risk for fraud, waste and abuse and identify ways to improve them.
Together with state agencies and authorities throughout the Commonwealth, we work to establish best practices in public design and construction to protect the public’s interests. Each year, we help develop policies and procedures and review public design and construction projects’ practices. We also review public real property transactions.
During each legislative session, we review and comment on many pieces of legislation. Finally, we provide guidance to legislators and municipalities and respond to requests from the Governor’s Office to review proposed legislation before it is signed into law.
View the OIG's legislative initiatives for 2019.
Additional Resources
Regulatory and Compliance (R&C) Division
The R&C Division manages the OIG’s educational initiatives and gives in-depth guidance on public procurement matters to state and local officials. We provide training and professional development through the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) program. In addition, we publish manuals and a quarterly Procurement Bulletin. We also offer a Chapter 30B hotline to respond to inquiries and complaints concerning the public procurement of supplies, equipment, services and real estate.
We interpret and create policies based on the Uniform Procurement Act, M.G.L. c. 30B (Chapter 30B), which governs public purchasing by municipalities and other public entities. We also provide speakers to address public procurement principles and fraud prevention for a variety of public and private organizations.
Finally, we assist the Attorney General’s Office by reviewing municipal bylaws and charter amendments to ensure that they comply with Chapter 30B.
