05/10/2018
152-18016
Consultant Selection
The OIG received a complaint of "collusion and possible corruption" pertaining to the selection and staffing of a Construction Engineering &
Inspection (CEI) firm for a department project. The complainant was concerned that consultant staff from an engineering firm involved in the Design Phase of the project were leaving that firm to work for the firm
that was awarded the CEI contract for the same project. The complaint was also concerned over possible favoritism being shown by department staff in the CEI selection process. Additionally, the OIG finds no evidence
to suggest the consultant staff hired to the awarded CEI firm participated in the design or development of the project. Therefore, the preliminary inquiry was closed without conversion to a substantive investigation. |
04/12/2018
150-17176
Quality Control Plan
A former employee of a concrete structures approved vendor reported concern that the vendor was not complying with their Department of Transportation
approved Quality Control Plan. Information collected during this preliminary inquiry could not conclusively determine if the vendor violated the QC plan. However, separate from the OIG inquiry, the District Materials
Office issued a Letter of Concern to the vendor. The vendor responded, stating they are "committed to compliance" and are taking "all reasonable measures to ensure [their] concrete is produced within" department
regulations.
|
03/07/2018
152-18009
P-Card Misuse
The department's Disbursement Operations Office reported to the OIG that an unauthorized credit card charge had been made on a department employee's
Purchase Card (p-card) for an online purchase at a local retailer in the amount of $1,182.49. Based on the interviews conducted and records reviewed, the OIG found no evidence to support that the department employee
participated, or facilitated, the fraudulent purchase using department issued p-card. The unauthorized charge was reported to the financial institution issuing the credit card and the charge was credited back to
the account. A further substantive investigation was not warranted and the case was closed. |
02/23/2018
152-18104
IT Misuse
The department's Office of Information Technology (OIT) reported to the OIG that the department's malware alert system detected malware on a contract employee's
laptop computer and that the infected files were located on a personal external device, belonging to the contracted employee, that had been plugged into the department computer. A scan by OIT indicated that
several files on the external device were labeled with sexually oriented names. At the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry the OIG found no evidence to support that sexually oriented materials or files were
accessed with the department computer; however, evidence did support that the contract employee connected a personal external device to a department computer without prior authorization. The findings were referred
to management for review and any action deemed appropriate. |
12/18/2017
152-17166
Technology Misrepresented Telemarketing
A citizen reported to the OIG concerns over telemarketing calls they were receiving from, what was identified on their caller
ID, as a Department telephone number. Preliminary inquiry concluded that the telephone number was a Department number assigned to a computerized facsimile system. The inquiry determined calls had not been placed
to the citizens from the Department telephone number. The OIG recommended the Office of Information Technology assess the vulnerability of infrequently used department fax numbers, which may be used for unintended
purposes.
|
12/15/2017
150-17101
Non-Approved Materials
An accusation was made to the OIG by an anonymous complainant that a contractor was using undersized pipe liners on Department contracts in
an effort to reduce costs. An OIG preliminary inquiry was initiated during which four Department contracts were reviewed. No evidence was identified to support the allegation and the inquiry was closed. |
12/14/2017
150-16247
Non-Payments to Subcontractor
A subcontractor reported to the OIG an allegation that a prime contractor failed to pay subcontractors in a timely manner, and did not
disclose the non-payments on Certification Disbursement of Previous Periodic Payment to Subcontractors (certifications) forms submitted to the Department. An OIG substantive investigation was initiated, which proved
the prime contractor submitted certifications without listing subcontractors who had not received their pro rata share of the related disbursement. The findings were reported to district management, and management
offered to provide training to the contractor. District management also referred the matter to the State Construction Office for action as deemed appropriate. |
12/7/2017
152-17090
Misuse of Department Property
A Department manager reported to the OIG an allegation that a Department employee misused a Department vehicle and obtained Department
materials for personal use. A substantive investigation was initiated by the OIG, which proved the Department employee had misused a Department vehicle and taken materials for personal use. The investigation also
proved the Department employee falsified their timesheet. |
11/20/2017
152-17014
Non-Adherence to Flex Schedules
Based on an anonymous complaint, the OIG initiated a preliminary inquiry into a complaint that a group of Department employees were
not adhering to their approved flex schedules. At the conclusion of the inquiry, it was observed that the employees were generally not adhering to their flex schedules as approved by their supervisor. The findings
were referred to management for review and any action deemed appropriate. |
11/9/2017
152-17160
Undisclosed Employee Background
Based on an anonymous complaint, the OIG initiated a preliminary inquiry into the allegation that a Department employee failed to disclose
they had a criminal record on their employment application. At the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry the OIG found no evidence to support the complaint; therefore, the case was closed. |
11/8/2017
152-17125
Construction Project Obstruction
The OIG initiated a preliminary inquiry into a citizen complaint that a Department project was interfering with the access to her
business. At the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry, the OIG found that the citizen's complaint had been appropriately addressed by district personnel; therefore, the case was closed. |
11/3/2017
150-17020
Misrepresented Material Delivery
A Department employee reported to the OIG an allegation of fraud and collusion by a Department consultant and contractor in the handling
of asphalt delivery tickets and material. An OIG preliminary inquiry was conducted, which disclosed that on the project in question there were several issues related to the delivery tickets; however, through routine
processes the issues were corrected during the contract, and it was verified that the Department only paid for materials used on the project. At the conclusion of the inquiry the case was referred to management
for informational purposes. |
11/3/2017
152-17098
Misuse of Department Funding
Based on a complaint from a Department employee the OIG initiated a preliminary inquiry into the allegation that maintenance funds were
improperly allocated to make unnecessary improvements to a District Operations Center. At the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry the OIG found no evidence to support the complaint; therefore, the case was closed. |
10/9/2017
150-17034
Violation of Procurement Process
The OIG initiated a preliminary inquiry on a complaint received from a Department employee, who alleged that a former Department employee
may have violated the Department Procurement Process in awarding services to a known associate's business. At the conclusion of the inquiry the OIG found no credible evidence or substantive information to support
the allegation and the case was closed. |
9/25/2017
152-17039
Favoritism
Based on a complaint filed by a former Department employee, the OIG initiated a preliminary inquiry into the allegation that a Department employee was allowing
a consultant employee to show favoritism in the assignment of off-site maintenance work to a specific consultant firm under contract with the Department. The preliminary inquiry revealed no evidence to support the
allegation; therefore, the case was closed. |
8/11/2017
152-17099
Misuse of Department Equipment/Computer
An anonymous complaint alleged that a Department employee was operating a personal business using Department technology resources.
A preliminary inquiry was conducted by the OIG, which did not disclose evidence to support the allegation; therefore, the case was closed without further investigation. |
