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Controller audit finds single incident of staff property purchase; DBI to track ownership and implement recommendations
Summary
Commission reviewed an Office of the Controller audit that found one instance where an employee purchased property using job‑related information; director and commissioners called the finding isolated and said DBI will implement tracking and procedures to reduce perception of impropriety.
The commission reviewed a report from the Office of the Controller analyzing whether DBI employees used on‑the‑job information to acquire real estate and concluded the department's review identified a single instance rather than a systemic problem.
The director and commissioners described the audit results as vindicating for DBI staff and said the office identified recommendations the department will implement. Director Esam/ Eason Hassanan said DBI will set up a system to track employee and commissioner real estate ownership and transfers and will support the Controller's audit recommendations.
Commissioners praised inspectors named in related public cases (Inspectors Duffy and Sweeney) for their professionalism and noted one acquittal in a trial was reflected in recent media coverage. Several commissioners proposed communicating the audit results publicly; the director said he would consider a press release to correct prior negative coverage.
Commissioners and staff discussed the reaction from unions and employees; the director said he had circulated a memo to staff explaining the results and had not received negative feedback. The commission recommended using the ethics and incompatible activities statements under development to set expectations for staff and commissioners.
No formal disciplinary action was recorded on the meeting record; commissioners asked staff to follow the Controller's recommendations and to return with implementation steps.
