OIG 2023 Letters, Reports and Recommendations

Former Town of Ware Fire Chief Thomas Coulombe will be arraigned on four counts of larceny over $1,200 on a yet to be determined date. He is accused of submitting false and inflated reimbursement requests to the Town of Ware and for allegedly stealing funds from three regional non-profit fire associations.

A former residential housing counselor at a non-profit regional housing agency has agreed to pay back twice what she fraudulently received in Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, announced charges against Peter Tufts of Medford related to an alleged tax evasion scheme.

In 2022, the OIG's work included recovering $1.7 million through restitutions and settlements; receiving and responding to 3,689 hotline queries or complaints, and training 5,282 people through our Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) program.

The Inspector General’s healthcare team initiated several reviews over the past year in fulfillment of its legislative mandate to examine the Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) and Health Safety Net programs.

The ISAU's 2022 annual report includes the unit's review of MBTA contracts for privatized services, including absence management and police dispatch services. The report also highlights the MBTA’s expenditure of federal pandemic funds.

The DSPO's 2022 annual report includes the review of troopers’ use of leave time to work overtime shifts and provides updates on the MSP’s efforts towards achieving accreditation. This report also includes updates on civil recoveries from former troopers.

The OIG's Department of State Police Oversight was pleased to find that the Massachusetts State Police achieved certification and full accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission on February 28, 2022, and December 21, 2022, respectively.

Following an investigation, the OIG has concluded that strengthened enforcement mechanisms and bolstered surety requirements are necessary to position the Commonwealth retail electricity supplier programs to fulfill their purpose and hold participants accountable.

The OIG reviewed the procurement of a “smart” lighting system installed in the Minnechaug Regional High School after a malfunction made it impossible for the school to turn out the lights for 18 months.

The OIG sent a letter to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper regarding her plans to enter a new bus transportation contract with Transdev Services, Inc.

The OIG sent a letter on January 3, 2023, to Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EHS) Secretary Marylou Sudders about the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home. In the letter, Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro expressed concerns about leadership at EHS and the Home.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Office of the Attorney General (AGO) have recovered more than $263,000 from former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) troopers for unworked overtime, including settlements in December 2022 and January 2023 with four troopers who paid a total of $17,584.

The MBTA could not demonstrate that its solicitation process for police dispatch services was fair and competitive.

The Office of the Inspector General’s Internal Special Audit Unit (ISAU) has completed a review of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA or authority) decision to be a sponsor for MassChallenge, Inc. (MassChallenge), a nonprofit organization.

Pursuant to Chapter 12A of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has conducted a review of the policies and practices of the Town of Abington’s Department of Public Works (DPW) regarding disposal of scrap metal and other matters of concern.

The purpose of the contract was to expand the MBTA’s customer service capabilities by staffing stations in the MBTA’s transit system with Block by Block employees, or “transit ambassadors,” who could provide directions, respond to concerns, and maintain the safety of MBTA riders.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reviewed a 2020 consulting contract between Mashpee Housing Authority (MHA) and its former executive director, Leila Botsford.

Timothy Dockery, age 57, of Plymouth, pleaded guilty to 13 charges. In 2014, the OIG began investigating Dockery following a tip to its fraud hotline.

A joint federal-state investigation involving the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General led to additional charges against two founders of a local non-profit in connection with allegations that they fraudulently obtained pandemic relief funds and state unemployment assistance.

IG Shapiro wrote to the Joint Committee on Public Service to address House 2488, which would create an exemption for municipal police officer and firefighter retirees, allowing them to “provide consulting services” to municipalities without adhering to Chapter 32’s hours and earnings limits.

IG Shapiro addressed the Joint Committee on Transportation on issues the OIG identified regarding the electrification of public fleets, particularly school buses. IG Shapiro expressed concerned that the complexity of electrifying bus fleets will lead school districts to inadvertently violate the law.

Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro wrote a letter to the Joint Committee on Public Service strongly opposing House 2546, An Act to Exempt the Executive Director of the Municipal Police Training Committee from Earnings Limitations.

Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro sent a letter to the Chairs of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight in support of House 3127, An Act Relative to Chapter 30B Procurement Parity, and Senate 2019, An Act Relative to Chapter 30B Procurement.

Inspector General Shapiro sent a letter to the Chairs of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight in support of House 3039, An Act Relative to Snow Hauling and Removal, which would amend Chapter 30B to add snow hauling and removal to Chapter 30B’s current exemption for snow plowing.

Inspector General Shapiro sent a letter to the Chairs of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight in support of House 7, An Act Relative to Technical Corrections in Chapter 30B, which updates Chapter 30B to correct statutory references rendered inaccurate by amendments to other statutes.

This redline document shows the House 7 bill's proposed technical corrections for Chapter 30B by updating references to other statutes that have been amended in the General Laws. The bill also repeals Section 23 of Chapter 30B, a duplicate of Section 22.

Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro testified on May 8, 2023, before the Joint Committee on Transportation regarding safety oversight of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro testified before members of the Senate and House Committees on Ways & Means regarding the Office of the Inspector General’s FY24 budget request, which outlines major initiatives including right sizing staffing levels and a focus on equitable and expanded training.