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City’s fraud hotline logged 19 reports since launch; majority actionable or referred
Summary
The city launched a fraud hotline in September 2024; staff told the Audit Oversight Committee it has received 19 reports (10 actionable), supported multiple languages, and provides automated case numbers for reporters. No fraud has been confirmed to date; several reports were referred to HR or outside agencies.
The city’s fraud hotline, launched Sept. 23, 2024, has received 19 reports through the EthicsPoint platform, 10 of which were deemed actionable, Senior Forensic Auditor Joe Throneberry told the Audit Oversight Committee on April 7.
"Since launching, we have received 19 reports into EthicsPoint, our fraud hotline software. 10 of these have been actionable by the city," Throneberry said. He reported eight personnel-related cases were referred to Human Resources for investigation and resolution, six cases remain under investigation, one case was referred to code enforcement, and one to business licensing. Fraud has not been confirmed in any case to date.
The hotline and access
The hotline is accessible by phone, mobile device and online, 24/7, and supports reports in English, Spanish and Tagalog. Posters were distributed to city departments, and the city has communicated the hotline through department leadership and weekly employee emails. Throneberry said the fraud committee (city manager, city attorney, and acting city auditor) meets monthly to review activity and the city is updating its fraud policy.
Anonymity, follow-up and referral
In response to committee questions, Throneberry said the platform allows confidential two-way communication: reporters who remain anonymous can receive messages and are asked to log back in to review and respond. Reporters receive an automated case number at submission and can check the system for updates; the system also notifies reporters when a case is closed. Throneberry said inactionable reports largely lacked sufficient detail or were outside the hotline’s purview and that some were referred to outside agencies, including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit.
Committee feedback and next steps
Committee members asked about the hotline’s messaging and whether it might appear to users as more oriented to HR complaints. Throneberry said the vendor’s poster is generic but the online intake distinguishes categories and the city is emphasizing fraud, waste and abuse. He said the city will continue promoting the hotline through new-hire orientation, executive briefings, and auditor outreach.
Why it matters
A functioning, well-promoted hotline with clear follow-up and confidentiality can increase the city’s ability to detect and address fraud, waste and abuse. The city is still developing awareness and training to make sure employees and the public understand how to use the system and what to expect after filing a report.
