OIG 2024 Letters, Reports and Recommendations

Section 79 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023 (Section 79) required the OIG to review the costs associated with the UMass Dartmouth's use of the Star Store from September 7, 2021 to August 31, 2023. Using its authority under M.G.L. Chapter 12A, the OIG reviewed the entire 20-year lease.

In this report, the OIG details its pandemic funding oversight work for the period between April 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024, including its reviews, guidance and trainings.

The Office of the Inspector General’s 2023 Annual Report, which covers Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro’s first full year as Inspector General, describes how the OIG is realizing IG Shapiro’s vision of a more engaged and proactive agency.

This is the first quarterly report issued as required by reserve fund line item 1599-2051, containing information relating to all work the OIG has conducted since the original reserve funds were made available in 2021.

The OIG found that the Commonwealth’s post-retirement earnings caps are primarily enforced through a self-monitored honor system. Oversight is inconsistent at best. The OIG recommends that the Legislature consider statutory changes that would make the system more accountable, transparent, fair and equitable.

Pursuant to Chapter 12A of the Massachusetts General Laws and Section 96 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023, the OIG issued the 2024 Annual Report, MassHealth’s Applied Behavior Analysis Program – Service Providers.

Inspector General Shapiro testified before an informational hearing convened by the House members of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy. He explained the reasons behind his recommendation that the Legislature create a mechanism to appoint a receiver to manage the Commission.

In testimony before the Boston City Council Committee on Government Operations, Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro acknowledged that there is room for an Office of the Inspector General for the City of Boston but expressed concerns about the details in the proposed ordinance (Docket #0645).

IG Shapiro offered his comments on the structure, elements, and history of the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General at a hearing on a bill to create an OIG before the Rhode Island House Committee on Finance. The Mass OIG was the first stateside OIG in the nation.

Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro testified on February 27, 2024 in support of changes to the procurement laws proposed within the Municipal Empowerment Act.

Inspector General Shapiro testified before the House and Senate Committees on Ways & Means on February 7, 2024.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) received a complaint in March 2022 alleging that the former director of the Blackstone Council on Aging (Council on Aging) made suspicious use of funds raised by the Friends of Blackstone Council on Aging (FBCoA).

IG Shapiro details findings of an investigation into a former EEC commissioner's procurement of a $2.1 million contract for consulting services.

In a letter to the Massachusetts Senate, IG Shapiro shares his testimony to House members of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy and asks them to consider appointing a receiver.

IG Jeffrey S. Shapiro submits that there is an urgent need for the legislative leadership to take immediate action to statutorily authorize the appointment of, and appoint, a receiver with clearly delineated authority to manage the day-to-day operations of the Cannabis Control Commission.

An OIG investigation found that Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) did not comply with the reporting provisions of the Interdepartmental Service Agreement (ISA) for police details worked at DCR's state parks and pools.

July 29, 2024 letter from EEA/DCR/MEP in response to OIG letter.

August 20, 2024 OIG response to EEA/DCR/MEP letter.

Findings of an OIG investigation into a complaint about the approval process for the host community agreement (HCA) for a marijuana retail business owned by a former member of the Planning Board.

Suffolk Superior Court Judge Michael Doolin ordered Manuel Duran, the former CEO of Casa Nueva Vida, to pay $382,843.67 in restitution.