OIG 2019 Reports and Recommendations

Penta Auto Body, which holds a Class 2 used motor vehicle dealer's license from the town of Watertown, failed to comply with several requirements of its license. This information may warrant administrative action by the Registry of Motor Vehicles ("RMV") or the Watertown Licensing Board.

The OIG found that the former Mayor and Methuen City Council likely violated state laws, failed to comply with their own municipal rules and breached their fiduciary duties to the residents of Methuen.

Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha wrote to the Plymouth County Commissioners regarding the purchase of excavating equipment and its use and benefit to County communities for dredging purposes. The IG concluded that the dredging program was unsuccessful and offered recommendations.

The OIG wrote to the Town of Montague regarding the sale of real property and Chapter 30B. In 2018, the town tried to sell Lot F through a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) process. Based on our review, we determined that the Town failed to comply with Chapter 30B.

The OIG found that the Town properly advertised to dispose of an old fire truck. However, the Town may have been able to receive slightly more money if it had considered disposing of the truck for its scrap value.

The OIG reviewed sick-leave payouts at municipal light plants across Massachusetts. We found that many light plants have leave-time and payout policies that have cost ratepayers millions of dollars.

The OIG found that the Permits, Inspections, and Planning Services Department for the city of Malden had control and oversight deficiencies that enabled embezzlement within the department in 2014.

Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha testified in support of legislation, which would ensure that boards of trustees for state colleges and universities understand their legal, fiduciary and ethical obligations to the institutions they serve.

Inspector General Glenn Cunha testified on House 9 regarding proposed amendments to Chapter 12A, the OIG's enabling statute. House 9 clarifies and strengthens the OIG’s capacity to conduct its work.

Inspector General Glenn Cunha testified on House 10 of 2019, which makes technical corrections to Chapter 30B and increases civil fines for those who violate its procedures.

The Inspector General testified on House 11 of 2019. The changes sought in this bill strengthen Chapter 30B’s provisions and provide local jurisdictions greater guidance and flexibility in selecting which procurement method to use.

The OIG produced a list of behavioral red flags that might indicate fraud is occurring in your organization.

In 2018, the ISAU conducted a variety of investigations, reviews and audits related to the use of public and private transportation funds, including its review of change orders and contract overruns for the design and final phase of construction of the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The Legislature established the Division of State Police Oversight in 2018 as an independent unit responsible for monitoring the quality, efficiency and integrity of the Massachusetts State Police.

OIG Issued a Report Recommending Improvements in the Administration of the MassHealth and the Health Safety Net Programs.

Mayor Jasiel F. Correia II and four others were charged by the U.S. Attorney on September 6, 2019.

Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha wrote a letter urging the Joint Committee on Public Service to strengthen the enforcement provisions in the return-to-work statute for public employees who retire.

IG Cunha wrote to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development to address House 2931 and its companion bill, Senate 2029, An Act Relative to Procurement Services for Artists.

Glenn A. Cunha, Inspector General, wrote in opposition to the bill that would amend M.G.L. Chapter 30B to increase dramatically the purchasing thresholds.

Inspector General Cunha wrote to the legislature recommending that local housing authority legislation include oversight mechanisms to ensure that public dollars and publicly-owned property is not vulnerable to fraud, waste and abuse.