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Richmond inspector general seeks peer review, highlights fraud investigations and staffing upgrades
Summary
Acting Inspector General Curtis briefed the committee on hotline improvements, investigative tools and staffing additions, and said the office seeks an Association of Inspectors General peer review by December 2025.
The Office of the Inspector General told the Government Operations Committee on Oct. 1 that it has improved web complaint handling, added investigative technology and databases and is expanding staff with experienced investigators to strengthen fraud and abuse investigations.
An inspector identified in the meeting as Curtis told the committee his office has retooled web complaint responses, eliminated a dormant app, improved cooperation with federal, state and local law‑enforcement partners and added software that converts bank records to analyzable spreadsheets. He said three investigative databases have been acquired to improve asset and identity analysis.
Curtis described personnel changes and named staff who have joined or supported the office: management analyst Shatabra Powell; interim investigations manager Brittany Clift; investigator George Ash; an investigator Wingo and investigator Benjamin Canning. He said investigators bring years of federal and state experience and that some staff will complete certified inspector general investigator training by March 2026 and certified fraud examiner training by September 2026.
On caseload composition, Curtis said 43% of investigations in the year were fraud/theft related and 27% involved alleged abuse; the remainder were referrals or matters outside the OIG’s jurisdiction. He said the office is seeking to fill a deputy inspector general position and a criminal analyst with open‑source intelligence and link‑analysis expertise. Curtis told the committee the OIG lacks dedicated vehicles for surveillance and plans to request vehicles and equipment as part of the FY27 budget process.
Curtis said the OIG has not been peer reviewed and intends to request a peer review by the Association of Inspectors General by December 2025. He said an annual OIG report has not recently been issued and that producing that report is a priority, to show taxpayers the office’s work and recoveries.
Ending: Committee members commended the OIG’s work and asked staff to include the OIG in 311 referral planning and to pursue an outside peer review; the OIG said it will seek to be peer reviewed by December and to professionalize training and reporting.
