“Inspector general is most
efficient way to target fraud, waste”
 |
| Larry, with Rep. Donna Walsh |
STATE
HOUSE – Rep. Larry Valencia (D-Dist. 39, Richmond, Exeter, Hopkinton) held a
press conference on Wednesday, April 10, on his legislation that would create
the Office of the Inspector General – an independent way to promote good
government and reduce waste, fraud, mismanagement and corruption.
For its small size,
Representative Valencia said Rhode Island has seen more than its fair share of corrupt
governmental practices. He pointed to the 2009 audit of the Rhode Island
Resource Recovery Corporation, which revealed losses of $75 million due to
mismanagement in the state’s trash agency. However, the financial loss was not
revealed until it was too late to prosecute anyone.
The
inspector general would be appointed by a majority vote of the governor,
attorney general and general treasurer for one five-year term and would be
selected without regard for political affiliation. This individual, who would
be in charge of conducting investigations involving public expenditures, would
need a demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law,
management analysis, public administration, investigation or criminal justice
administration.
Similar
bills creating the Office of the Inspector General have been introduced in
previous years as an effort to increase the transparency of state government
and keep a watchful eye on taxpayer money.
“I
want to reduce the influence of money and special interest in government,”
Representative Valencia said. “State officials and agencies should be held
accountable for their actions. Taxpayers should be comfortably assured that
state funds are going toward relevant purposes that seek to benefit the broader
Rhode Island community.”
The
proposed bill is modeled after a section of the general laws of Massachusetts,
which established the Office of the Inspector General in 1981. This office led
to the discovery of more than $100 million in overrun costs related to the Big
Dig construction project. Since then, at least 17 other states have established
such offices and have experienced savings and monetary recoveries that greatly
outweigh the cost of maintaining the office.
“State
government is still a large operation, and I think it’s absolutely necessary
for us to have an office dedicated to targeting fraud and waste,” the
representative said. “Rhode Islanders want an open, efficient and trustworthy
government. We need this bill to remind the government that its job, first and
foremost, is to serve the people rather than themselves.”
Cosponsors of the House bill
include Representatives Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Michael J.
Marcello (D-Dist. 41, Scituate, Cranston), Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Dist.
2, Providence) and Jeremiah T. O`Grady (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket).
