PROVIDENCE – Suspected cases of fraud, waste or abuse at the R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) can now be reported via an anonymous, toll-free hotline, the R.I. Bureau of Audits announced today.
The state has signed an independent Atlanta-based firm called The Network to operate the 24-hour hotline and associated Web site, the Audit Bureau said.
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In a preliminary investigation this spring, the Audit Bureau and forensic accounting firm Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLC found “serious concerns” at the solid-waste agency. (READ MORE). Those findings spurred Gov. Donald L. Carcieri to nominate replacements for six members of the RIRRC’s eight member board. (READ MORE)
The results of that probe “certainly raise the possibility of fraud and abuse at the R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation,” Audit Bureau chief Chris DerVartanian said in a statement today.
“We must pursue every avenue to expose any wrongdoing so that we can restore public confidence,” he said, adding: “Studies show that anonymous tips are the No. 1 way of discovering fraud, waste or abuse. As such, this is a prudent next step in the examination of the RIRRC.”
Anyone wishing to file an anonymous report about the RIRRC is encouraged to call 1-866-614-0742. Anonymous tips also may be entered via the new Rhode Island page at The Network’s www.ReportLineWeb.com.
“We want to be clear that the operation of the hotline is completely independent of the Resource Recovery Corporation or the State of Rhode Island,” DerVartanian said today. “People should feel free to report any fraud, waste or abuse anonymously and without fear of retribution.”
But, he added, “it is important for everyone to understand that this hotline is for reporting fraud, waste and abuse. It is not a complaint line or a number to call about service of the RIRRC or other state agencies. That would be a misuse of the hotline – and would be costly, since we are charged by the number of calls.”
Callers will be interviewed by the hotline operators – to screen out inappropriate calls while maintaining the callers’ anonymity – and their feedback will be sent back to the Bureau of Audits.
The R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation – created by the R.I. General Assembly in 1974 – manages solid-waste disposal and recycling programs including the state Central Landfill in Johnston. Additional information is available at www.rirrc.org. For more information about the R.I. Bureau of Audits, a division of the state Department of Administration, visit www.audits.ri.gov.
my god. how far will they go? KGB tatics. what the audit didnt turn up anything good enough for the witch hunt? why waster more money on filtering out suspected and subjective cases when the audit should tell you everything you need to know. January 2010 cant come soon enough.