Fraud Hotline


The Fraud Hotline allows anyone to report suspected acts of financial wrong doing by employees of, or within, the Cleveland Town government.  Submit information regarding suspected wrong doing (fraud or waste) at any time using the form below.  You have the option to remain completely anonymous or you may request that someone from the Audit Committee follow up with you.  The information you provide is confidential and anonymous and will go directly to the Cleveland Town Audit Committee (a committee led by two Town Council Members). 

Cleveland Town Fraud Hotline Policy


INTRODUCTION

 

The Cleveland Town Fraud Hotline provides an avenue for citizens, including public employees and contractors, to report improper governmental activities including:

  •          Waste or misuse of public funds, property, or manpower
  •          Violations of a law, rule, or regulations applicable to the government
  •          Gross mismanagement
  •          Abuse of authority
  •          Unethical conduct

 

FILING A COMPLAINT

 

Complaints should be submitted in writing using the attached form.  Complainants should also submit any evidence that supports the complaint.  Essential information includes specifics on “who, what, where, when, as well as any other details that may be important.  Due to limited resources Cleveland Town is unable to accept complaints that are not supported by evidence.  At a minimum, please use the form as a guide to ensure the necessary information is provided.  Submit complaints via the following methods:

 

EMAIL:  ClevelandUTFraudHotline@gmail.com

US MAIL: CLEVELAND TOWN, ATTN: AUDIT COMMITTEE, PO BOX 325, CLEVELAND, UTAH 84518

 

ENTITY PROCESSING OF A HOTLINE COMPLAINT

 

  1.        After receipt of the complaint, the Audit Committee will review the allegation and any evidence provided by the complainant.  The list below represents some of the factors that are considered during the screening and prioritization process.
  2.        Does the complaint involve actions by a person subject to the Cleveland Town’s authority?
  3.       Does the complaint pertain to improper governmental activities?  Disagreements with management decisions or actions taken by elected officials that are within the law will not be investigated.
  4.        Has the complainant taken appropriate steps to resolve the issue with the entity?  If the entity is not responsive, the concern relates to top management, or the complainant desires anonymity, consideration will be increased.
  5.       What is the timing and frequency of alleged improper activity? Allegations of improper activities that are recent and/or on-going may receive a higher priority.
  6.        Should the allegations be investigated by another entity?  Are there other agencies that have oversight of the complaint?  Is a member of the governing body or the audit committee being accused?
  7.         Can the complaint be efficiently and effectively investigated?  Overly broad or vague complaints where evidence is unavailable may be declined or receive a low priority.
  8.        The External Auditor communicates to the Audit Committee:
  9.        The allegation of the complaint
  10.       Any facts supporting or refuting the complaint
  11.        A recommendation based upon preliminary inquiry
  12.        Audit Committee decides the appropriate next action (if a member or the Audit Committee is the subject of the complaint they may not be included in this process):
  13.        Discontinue the investigation
  14.       Continue with the investigation
  15.        Refer the investigation to another agency
  16.        If the investigation proceeds, the audit committee sets the following:
  17.        Time and resource budget
  18.       Scope of the audit
  19.        External Auditor completes the audit
  20.        External Auditor creates a report outlining the work performed and conclusions
  21.        External Auditor provides the report to the Audit Committee
  22.        Audit Committee reports investigation results to the whole governing body (if a separate audit committee exists).
  23.        Governing body addresses any findings noted in the report

 

WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION

Utah Code 67-21-3 prohibits public employers from taking adverse action against their employees for reporting government waste or violations of law in a good faith, to the appropriate authorities.   A public entity employee, public body employee, legislative employee, or judicial employee, is presumed to have communicated in good faith if they have given written notice or otherwise formally communicated the conduct to the entity (see Utah Code 67-21-3 (1)(b)(iv)(A) for more information).

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

The identity of the complainant is considered protected information under the Utah Government Records Access Management Act (GRAMA) and will be kept confidential if requested by the complainant.  (See Utah Code Section 67-3-1 (15)).

 

Complaints may be submitted anonymously to the Hotline.  However, it is preferable that the complainant provide their name and contact information to allow for follow-up questions and reporting the results back to the complainant.  Whistleblower protections do not apply to anonymous complaints.

 

Fraud Hotline Email


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