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.
Data Analytics Division
The Data Analytics Division uses exploratory data analysis, statistical analysis, machine learning and visual analytics to assist other divisions in their work to promote good government. The division develops data management processes and standards and coordinates the data analysis needs of the Office, ensuring consistency, integrity, security, compliance and availability of data.
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.
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Healthcare Division (HCD)
The newly created HCD is authorized to review, analyze, comment on, report on and otherwise opine on a variety of healthcare policy, delivery and access issues, including matters related to practices in hospitals, free care services, healthcare delivery, billing, the Medicaid program’s eligibility requirements, utilization, claims administration and compliance with federal mandates, as well as potential or actual instances of fraud, waste or abuse. Based upon the OIG’s unique role within state government, the work of the HCD and its annual reporting provide an important and direct platform to reach governmental leaders, including those serving in legislative and executive roles, and to thought and opinion leaders across the healthcare environment. While a study and report scheduled to be issued each March are a major focus of its annual work, the HCD also has the opportunity and ability to direct reviews and collaborate on a host of other healthcare-related projects.
The HCD (including healthcare specialists, policy analysts and investigators) has the ability to partner with other business units within the OIG and has broad access to information from across government to facilitate healthcare oversight reviews.
While the HCD regularly reviews the Health Safety Net (HSN) and Medicaid programs, which are both administered by the Office of Medicaid (MassHealth), the division's authority and reach allows for a broad spectrum for its work and focus. To safeguard public funds in the HSN and MassHealth programs, HCD may make recommendations for improvements to internal controls and programs for the reduction of fraud, waste and abuse.
Internal Special Audit Unit (ISAU)
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, we evaluate 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 and legislative initiatives, advocating for oversight policies based on the OIG’s evaluations and investigations. 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. We also 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 2023.
The P&G Division’s Pandemic Funding Oversight Unit coordinates the OIG’s oversight of federal funds distributed to state and local governments, companies, individuals and non-profits in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences. We also collaborate with other agencies on pandemic funding oversight and represent the OIG on the Commonwealth’s Equity and Accountability Review Panel.
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Operations Bureau
The Operations Bureau plays a crucial role within our office. It is responsible for a variety of functions including human resources, recruiting, finance, office administration, data analytics, case management, procurement, operations/logistics, information technology, cybersecurity, and special projects.
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 OIG Academy program. In addition, we publish manuals and the OIG Bulletin. We also offer a Chapter 30B hotline to respond to inquiries and complaints concerning the public procurement of supplies, equipment, services and real property.
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.
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Veterans' Services Division
The Veterans’ Services Division has oversight of services provided to veterans by the Commonwealth and its municipalities. The Division monitors these programs to ensure that public resources earmarked for veterans are accessible by our veterans and are providing the quality of service envisioned by the Legislature and the Administration.
The elevation of veterans’ services to a cabinet-level Secretariat by Governor Healey warranted the creation of a veteran-focused division at the OIG, as the Bureau of Program Integrity, the unit within OIG with oversight of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, no longer had direct jurisdiction and oversight. IG Shapiro believes that oversight of services provided to veterans is a critical responsibility of the OIG.
Additional Resources
Contact for Office of the Inspector General Divisions
Phone
Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-F