In accordance with Title 2.2 Chapter 3.2 (§ 2.2-307 through 2.2-313) of the Code of Virginia, the Office of the State Inspector General is responsible for:

• Investigating complaints alleging fraud, waste, abuse or corruption by an executive branch state agency, non-state agency or officers, employees or contractors of those agencies.

• Administering the Fraud and Abuse Whistle Blower Reward Fund.

• Overseeing the State Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline.

• Conducting performance reviews of state agencies.

• Providing training and coordination of standards for the Commonwealth’s internal audit functions.

• Performing inspections and making policy and operational recommendations for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services facilities and providers.

• Reviewing operations of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.

Consistent with these responsibilities, OSIG completed the following activities during fiscal year 2021:

Investigations and Administration Division

• Investigations Unit

o Opened 25 executive branch state agency investigations.
o Investigated allegations of fraud, conflicts of interest, misappropriation, procurement violations, and waste and abuse.
o Referred 14 cases for prosecutorial consideration.
o Closed 31 cases.
o Made one presentation and staff participated in 312 hours of training.

• State Fraud, Waste & Abuse Hotline

o Assigned 214 cases for investigation.
o Of the 195 cases closed, 22 percent were substantiated and 78 percent were unsubstantiated.
o Investigated 21 cases in-house for allegations that involved an agency head, internal audit employee or an “at-will" employee.
o Completed two workpaper reviews of Internal Audit departments or Hotline coordinators and four follow-up investigative reviews for compliance with recommendations.
o Made two presentations and staff participated in nearly 400 hours of training.

• Internal Audit Oversight and Training Services

o Conducted one quality assurance review.
o Coordinated eight training courses, in which 581 internal auditors from across the Commonwealth participated, earning up to 31 continuing professional education credits to maintain certifications necessary for their positions.

Audit and Inspections Division

• Audit Unit

o Published six performance audits.
o Issued 33 findings and observations.
o Issued 78 audit recommendations.
o Staff earned 843 hours of continuing education supporting 25 certifications.
o Presented six virtual presentations to state and national audit organizations as well as the state Chief Audit Executive Roundtable.

• Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Unit

o Processed 657 complaints.
o Participated in unannounced inspections of 12 DBHDS facilities.
o Published a special project on mortality review of Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services facilities.
o Staff participated in nearly 150 hours of training to enhance their skills.

Communications and Outreach

o Presented to 17 local, state and national organizations’ meetings.
o Responded to 102 Freedom of Information Act inquiries.
o Processed nearly 100 responsive and proactive media contacts.
o Responded to 706 general inquiry complaints.
o Distributed 13 news releases resulting in multiple statewide media placements.

OSIG Provides Staff Support for Commission on the May 31, 2019 Virginia Beach Mass Shooting

The 2020 Virginia Acts of Assembly Chapter 1289 - Budget Bill – Item 27.20 established the Commission on the May 31, 2019 Virginia Beach Mass Shooting to conduct an independent, thorough and objective review of the tragedy. The General Assembly tasked the Commission with issuing recommendations and improvements that can be made in Virginia’s laws, policies, procedures, systems and institutions to prevent a similar incident. OSIG staff provided, and continues to provide, support to this state-level investigation, which consists of 21 members: Five nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, five nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and 10 nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor. The Superintendent of State Police serves ex officio as a nonvoting member of the Commission.

The General Assembly directed the Commission to submit an annual executive summary of its interim activity and work by November 1 of each year.