OIG Annual Reports

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.

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.

In 2021, the OIG’s work – which included investigations, reviews, partnerships and trainings – spanned numerous areas of state and local government, including education, healthcare, human services, public administration, public safety and transportation.

In 2020, the OIG assisted public employees facing new challenges because of the pandemic; continued to cultivate a diverse, skilled and engaged workforce, and recovered $1.8 million in restitutions and settlements.

In 2019, the OIG's accomplishments included expanding our training program to new locations throughout the state and launching online training videos; welcoming our first Dr. Frances Burke Investigator Fellow and our first Justice Geraldine Hines Legal Fellow, and responding to 1,380 complaints on our Fraud Hotline.

In 2018, the OIG’s accomplishments included launching a five-year strategic plan, creating two fellowships and establishing the Division of State Police Oversight and the Civil Recovery Unit.

In 2017, the OIG conducted investigations and reviews in areas such as aviation, health and human services, library administration, pharmacy services, public procurement, public benefits, public works, state pensions and transportation.

In 2016, the OIG’s efforts resulted in recoveries and fines totaling more than $6.5 million. Our office identified nearly $1 million in lost toll revenue. We also found that MassDOT is paying for services that others do not pay for with its emergency-services contracts with 19 cities and towns along the MA Turnpike.

In 2015, our office conducted investigations and reviews in such areas as education, healthcare, public benefits, criminal justice, public construction, social services and transportation. Our efforts resulted in settlements and fines totaling over $1M, and we identified almost $1M in forfeited transportation revenue.

The OIG’s investigation of former president of Westfield State University Evan S. Dobelle’s spending practices uncovered tens of thousands of dollars of personal spending on WSU credit cards. Our report on the William A. Hinton State Laboratory Institute received the Manuel Carballo Governor’s Award for Excellence.

In 2013, the OIG identified $42.5 million in potential cost savings per year for the Commonwealth. Our largest investigation involved the Forensic Drug Laboratory at the Hinton State Laboratory Institute. Our newly-formed Bureau of Program Integrity performed a broad review of the Department of Transitional Assistance.

In 2012 the OIG investigated and reviewed matters involving energy, public corruption, affordable housing, social services, transportation and education.

In 2011, the OIG’s investigations and reviews included public works, public administration, municipal finances and pension abuse. Our staff was also instrumental in investigating the case against former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, who was found guilty for his involvement in a kickback scheme.

In 2010, the OIG’s investigations and reviews included pension abuse, records conservation, disabled parking placard abuse, as well as crimes against municipalities including bid rigging, larceny, and misappropriation of public funds. Our investigations and reviews led to almost $1M in recoveries and collections.

In 2009, the OIG identified abuses of the cost certification process under Chapter 40B. We participated on the task force for the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, recommending refinements to procurement statutes. We also recovered $13M from a software firm due to a flawed procurement.

During 2008, the OIG continued its ongoing investigation into the Chapter 40B cost monitoring process for affordable home ownership. Our investigations resulted in indictments of two Boston Housing Authority employees and three MBTA construction division inspectors.

Highlights of the OIG’s work in 2007 include a case uncovering widespread abuse of disabled persons’ parking placards and a case that led to the indictment of two men who allegedly defrauded the state out of $250,000 on the Central Artery/Tunnel project, as well as the continued monitoring of Chapter 40B.

In 2006, the OIG found abuse and apparent fraud in M.G.L. c. 40B developments, with more than $1.8 million owed to affordable housing funds; identified $1.9 million in secret fees charged to the Middlesex Retirement System, of which we recovered $1 million from a brokerage firm, and uncovered pension fund abuse.

Highlights of the OIG's work in 2005 include playing an integral role in drafting Chapter 193 of the Acts of 2004, "An Act Further Regulating Public Construction in the Commonwealth." We also continued to investigate Big Dig cost overruns and recovered $1.2 million in tax credit dollars for the Commonwealth.