(Miami, FL.) – The Miami-Dade County Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released its 2004 Annual Report, which highlights many accomplishments resulting in savings of millions of taxpayer’s dollars. According to the Annual Report, 2004 was a year of important legislative and budgetary changes to the OIG. The OIG’s budget was separated from that of the Commission on Ethics (COE) and legislation was unanimously approved providing greater autonomy and responsibility for the OIG.
For the period covered by the Annual Report, the OIG identified over 6 million in questionable costs and lost revenues. The report highlights many investigations, including those that uncovered a scheme to steal over $4 million dollars in jet fuel from Miami International Airport and billing irregularities at the Public Health Trust /Jackson Memorial Hospital (JMH) which resulted in $945,000 in recoveries for JMH. OIG investigations also resulted in 36 arrests of County employees and others for a variety of crimes including official misconduct, theft, racketeering and perjury. The OIG received 423 fraud complaints in fiscal year 2004, representing a 25% increase over the previous year.
The OIG was established by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners as an independent agency empowered to investigate fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in County programs, projects and contracts. Currently, the OIG has oversight of over 40 County departments including Aviation, the Seaport, Transit, Housing, Community and Economic Development, Water and Sewer, Public Works and the Public Health Trust.
The OIG continues detecting and preventing misconduct and abuse and seeking appropriate remedies to recover public monies. Inspector General Christopher Mazzella emphasized that the OIG’s achievements are possible only because of the support of elected officials, County staff, the law enforcement community and the public. The OIG is committed to restoring the public’s confidence in County government.
To report abuse, fraud, misconduct or corruption, call the Inspector General’s office directly at 305-375-1946, or contact them either on their hotline at (305) 579-2593 or visit the OIG’s website at www.miamidadeig.org. You can view the Annual Report their our website.
