Integrity Georgia : report stimulus (ARRA) fraud, waste or abuse at www.oig.georgia.gov

The Office of the State Inspector General (OIG) investigates instances of fraud, waste, abuse and corruption in all executive branch state agencies, departments, commissions, authorities and any entity of state government that is headed by an appointee of the Governor.
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) encourages the reporting and investigation of fraud, waste, abuse and corruption that occurs in connection with the distribution of federal stimulus funds to state and local governments and to private contractors. OIG is Georgia's designated state agency in charge of receiving and investigating ARRA complaints.1
Complaints submitted to OIG may include a wide range of alleged wrongdoings and may include allegations of more than one type of misconduct by an entity or individual. Some categories of wrongdoing under the jurisdiction of OIG include the following.
Fraud is an act of intentional or reckless deceit to mislead or deceive.
Examples: Fraudulent travel reimbursement Falsifying financial records or payroll information to cover up theft Intentionally misrepresenting the costs of goods or services provided Conducting a business on state time for personal gain
Waste is a reckless or grossly negligent act that causes state funds to be spent in a manner that was not authorized or represents significant inefficiency and needless expense.
Examples: Purchase of unneeded supplies or equipment Purchase of goods at inflated prices Failure to reuse major resources or reduce waste generation
Abuse is the intentional, wrongful, or improper use or destruction of state resources, or seriously improper practice that does not involve prosecutable fraud.
Examples: Improper hiring practices Significant use of state time for personal business or unauthorized time away from work Receipt of favors for awarding contracts to vendors Falsification of time records to include misuse of overtime or compensatory time Misuse of state money, equipment, supplies and/or other materials
1 Although OIG is only authorized to investigate reports about Georgia Executive Branch agencies and employees, any complaints received by OIG about the misuse of federal stimulus funds by agencies or persons outside OIG jurisdiction will be referred to the appropriate authority.

Corruption is an intentional act of fraud, waste or abuse or the use of public office for personal, pecuniary gain for oneself or another.
Examples: Accepting kickbacks Bid rigging Contract steering
A Conflict of Interest is a situation in which a person is in a position to exploit their professional capacity in some way for personal benefit. It may occur when a person has competing professional obligations and private interests. A conflict of interest may exist even if no unethical or improper act results from it, as it may be evidenced by the appearance of impropriety.
Examples: Purchasing state goods from vendors who are controlled by or who employ relatives Nepotism Accepting gifts from vendors Outside employment with vendors Inappropriately using one's position to influence the selection of vendors with whom you have a personal interest/relationship Using confidential information for personal profit or to assist outside organizations
If you see fraud, waste or abuse occurring with Stimulus (ARRA) funds, please contact our office.
Web site: www.oig.georgia.gov Toll Free: 866.Help OIG (1.866.435.7644)
Email: inspector.general@oig.ga.gov Address: 2 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive, S.W.
1102 West Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Source: OIG 2008 Annual Report