HomeMy WebLinkAboutHotline Flyer 12-24FRAUD
WASTE
ABUSE
County of Hawai‘i
County of Hawai‘i
Offi ce of the County Auditor
120 Pauahi Street, Suite 309
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Telephone: (808) 961-8386
Fax: (808) 961-8905
Email: countyauditor@hawaiicounty.gov
www.hawaiicounty.gov
FRAUD involves obtaining something of value through willful misrepresentation. Whether an act is, in fact, fraud is determined through the judicial or other adjudicative system and is beyond auditors’ professional responsibility. Some examples of fraud activities may include:
• bribery• falsifying records• forgery• theft
WASTE is the act of using or expending resources carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose. Importantly, waste can include activities that do not include abuse and does not necessarily involve a violation of law. Rather, waste relates primarily to mismanagement, inappropriate actions, and inadequate oversight. Some examples of waste activities may include:
• Ignoring competitive bidding requirements• Purchasing overpriced equipment from a favored vendor• Purchasing unnecessary goods or services
ABUSE is behavior that is defi cient or improper when compared with behavior that a prudent person would consider reasonable and necessary business practice given the facts and circumstances, but excludes fraud and noncompliance with provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements. Abuse also includes misuse of authority or position for personal fi nancial interests or those of an immediate or close family member or business associate. Some examples of abuse activities may include:
• Awarding government contracts to family or friends• Receiving or asking for gifts from vendors/contractors• Using a vendors written specifi cation to eliminate competitive bidding
DEFINITIONS
If you report an impropriety, you are protected
by the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act, which:
• Requires us to protect your identity (except
from law enforcement).
• Prohibits intimidation, threats, or coercion
by county employees that could interfere
with your right to disclose improper gov-
ernmental activities.
If you believe that you have been retaliated
against for disclosing an improper governmen-
tal activity, you should report this immediately
to the following agency:
State of Hawaii Offi ce of the Ombudsman
https://www.ombudsman.hawaii.gov/
WE PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY
Be part of the solution
Call it out, Call it inIn the case where we are not the appropriate
offi ce to assist you, we will make every
attempt to place you in touch with the
appropriate offi ce or entity that can help.
WHAT WE DON’T RESEARCH
YOU CAN REPORT IMPROPER ACTIVITY
We research complaints as confidentially as
possible to protect both your identity and
our ability to gather information without
interference. Absolute confidentiality cannot
be guaranteed in every circumstance. To
protect the confidentiality of your complaint,
we encourage you not to tell anyone that you
filed a complaint with us.
We are your confidential source for reporting
improper activities by County of Hawaii
departments, agencies, or employees. It
is your responsibility to report suspected
fraud, waste, or abuse in protecting County
resources. It is also your right to be free from
retaliation for reporting.
We report substantiated claims to the
appropriate head of the employing agency
or jurisdiction. Claims will sometimes result
in additions to our annual audit plan. We may
report substantiated claims to the public
while keeping the identities of those involved
confidential. You can view these reports on our
website. We refer substantiated violations of
law to appropriate law enforcement agencies.
WE RESEARCH COMPLAINTS
You have five ways to report information to us
confidentially:
• Call (808) 480-8213 to report fraud
and waste
• Call the Whistleblower Hotline at:
(808) 480-8279 to report abuse
• By Fax: (808) 961-8905
• By Mail: Office of the County Auditor,
120 Pauahi St., 309, Hilo, HI 96720
• By Email: concern@hawaiicounty.gov
A directory of services is available at our
website.
Note: The hotline is staffed Monday through
Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Callers may leave a
brief recorded message.
HOW TO REPORT
Prepare before reporting. Gather your
thoughts before reporting a complaint and
prepare yourself to answer the following
questions:
• What is the improper activity?
• Who acted improperly?
• Where does that person work?
• How often and for how long has the
activity been occurring?
• Why has it been allowed to continue?
HELPFUL TIPS WHEN FILING A COMPLAINT
We are unable to research claims without
support for your complaint. Please remember
to include the following:
• Description of the evidence that proves
what you are saying.
• Names and telephone numbers of
knowledgeable witnesses.
• Copies of any documents you have
in your possession that support your
allegation. (Please do not submit original
documents, as they cannot be returned.)
Improper activities by a county agency or
employee that could be reported to the
County Auditor include:
• Violations of state or federal law,
including theft, fraud, or conflict of
interest.
• Noncompliance with an executive
order, MOA, MOU, county policy and
procedures.
• Misuse or waste of county resources,
including county property or employee
time.
WHAT TO REPORT SUPPORT WHAT YOU CLAIM
We will not reveal your identity without
your permission except to appropriate law
enforcement personnel. Please consider
authorizing us to follow up as we may not be
able to research your complaint if we cannot
talk to you to substantiate the information
you are providing or to obtain additional
information.
CONSIDER PROVIDING CONTACT INFORMATION
KEEP YOUR COMPLAINT CONFIDENTIAL
Revised 12/24