Tipsters file hundreds of complaints with Ottawa's fraud hotline this year
Ottawa's auditor general is seeing a "significant increase" in the number of complaints filed to the city's fraud hotline this year, as people file hundreds of anonymous tips about potential fraud and waste at city hall.
"People might have more time on their hands during the pandemic but that would be pure speculation," said Nathalie Gougeon when asked about the spike in tips to the hotline during the second year of the pandemic.
During an appearance before the Audit Committee, Gougeon told councillors her office has received 500 complaints so far in 2021, compared to 200 complaints during a normal year. There were 204 tips to the hotline in 2020, including 114 from municipal employees and 90 from the public.
Coun. Carol Anne Meehan wondered if many of the tips were from people wondering if municipal employees were "working hard enough" during the pandemic, when many people are working from home.
"I've heard people say, 'Oh, I saw so-and-so out walking their dog.' I said I walk my dog in between meetings and I'm not going to make apologies for it," said Meehan.
Gougeon responded, "The nature of the reports that are coming in are a vast variety, as they are every year, so I wouldn't necessarily say that there's more specific attributed to those working from home."
The auditor general says it can be time consuming to review the 500 reports to decide how to proceed.
"Many of us look at each report that comes in. Myself, both deputy auditor's general as well as one of the senior auditors in our team. We want to make sure that we're triaging everything appropriately, so it does warrant a lot of attention," said Gougeon.
The auditor general says her office will forward complaints to management to investigate and report back, "in other instances if we're seeing something more systemic, we will likely hang onto it and take a look at it ourselves."
A report on the 2021 fraud and waste hotline will be released in April.
Ottawa's fraud and waste hotline was launched in 2005 in order to facilitate the reporting of suspected fraud or waste by municipal employees. It's operated independently by a third party, WhistleBlower Security.
Last year, three city employees were fired following tips to the fraud and waste hotline, one of whom took more than six weeks of vacation without recording it. Two employees were suspended without pay for washing their personal vehicles on city property.
2022-2023 AUDIT WORKPLAN
The auditor general's office currently has audits in progress on the Light Rail Transit system, zero-emission buses for OC Transpo and the pandemic response by the city.
A report for Friday's audit committee meeting outlined other areas for audits in 2022, including cybersecurity, prevention of workplace violence and harassment, affordable housing and the management of roadways.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.