The complaint alleges a waste of taxpayers dollars for multiple designs to renovate the third floor of the old City Hall.

Allegation of abuse of position and time card fraud; that a City employee was abusing their position by approving parking validation set to expire several years from the date of approval.

Alleged waste, fraud, or abuse due to poor control over non-capital assets, inability to locate assets, failure to follow procedures for asset transfer and disposal, and improper tagging.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging fraud against an operator through misbilling services under the ground transportation operating agreement and that requests to Albuquerque International Sunport for information had not been responded to.

The OIG received an allegation stating that a City Department violated the City's Nepotism policy by having two City employees who are related and working in the same department. The complaint further alleges that the two City employees do not properly address employees grievances or complaints.

The Office of Inspector General initiated an investigation into the alleged retaliation against the reporting party by a City Manager for participation in a previous investigation.

The Office of Inspector General received three separate allegations of abuse of authority by members of the General Services Department leadership.

The Office of Inspector General received an anonymous tip alleging improper use of Child Care Stabilization Grant funds by inappropriately compensating City employees through bonuses. The grant outlines specific criteria on what and how the funds can be utilized.

Alleged leave abuse by a former Administrator resulting in the waste of City resources and taxpayer monies.

Allegation of abuse of power by a City Director through a temporary upgrade being given outside City Personnel Rules and Regulations 702.1

Alleged time and attendance theft due to a City employee claiming to be teleworking from their home in Albuquerque, but was seen at the airport boarding a flight.

Time and attendance theft was alleged due to a City employee being at home from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm with their City vehicle parked in the driveway.

Alleged violation of leave policy resulting in waste of city resources and an alleged failure to meet minimum position qualifications.

Alleged violation of the Inspection of Public Records Act Chapter 14, Article 2

Alleged time card fraud of two City Employees by not reporting to the office during their scheduled working hours.

The OIG received an allegation of alleged waste of taxpayer dollars by the Albuquerque BioPark due to the purchased shuttle being inoperable due to mechanical failures at high temperatures and the hiring of two (2) train conductors that had no job duties since the shuttle became inoperable.

The Human Resources Department allegedly did not comply with Personnel Rules and Regulations in regards to job placement of E1 when E1 returned from physical layoff.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging the Parks and Recreation Department approved a “Park Use Agreement” at a City park from March 2023 to October 2023 for the complainant. The complainant submitted a renewal in 2024, but was denied. The complainant stated that the submission met all requirements of the Park Use Agreement and therefore was abusive of the Parks and Recreation Department to deny it.

The Office of Inspector General received an anonymous allegation of abuse of power by Metro Security Management through bullying, harassment, and retaliation against Metro Security Officers.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging violations of personnel policy and abuse of position by a Department Director (D1). The allegation states that certain employees (identified as Directors, Mayors Office Staff, and Counsel Service Staff) are being allowed to exhaust all sick and vacation accruals after they have given their resignation or date of retirement so each could continue to receive payment for the time out of the office.

The Office of Inspector General received an anonymous complaint alleging that a Deputy Director (D1) with the City of Albuquerque (City) was a new employee with the City in an unclassified position when D1 received a “significant raise” and “hundreds of vacation leave hours” after being employed with the City for a short time.

The Office of Inspector General received multiple complaints alleging non-compliance with the Military Veteran’s Initiative Administrative Instruction (AI) 7-57 during the hiring process for the Risk Manager Position.

Between February 1, 2024, and April 12, 2024, the Office of Inspector General received thirty (30) separate allegations of non-compliance with the City of Albuquerque Parking Ordinance by Parking Enforcement Officers employed within the Parking Division of the Municipal Development Department.

The Office of Inspector General received an allegation stating that the referring party was being harassed by the Code Enforcement Division by receiving a total of seven (7) violations on their property from July 2023 – January 2024.

The Office of Inspector General received an anonymous allegation stating that the Eastside Animal Welfare Department was not maintaining clean areas in the kennel storage area, kennel freezers, and hallways. The referring party stated that this led to alleged hazardous conditions.

Alleged theft of time by a City employee and non-compliance with City policies by a Department Director.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging a City employee continuously comes in late to work and the CIty employee supervisors are aware and are allowing it to happen without consequences.

Allegation of retaliation for participation in a previous investigation and for raising concerns over the stadium location by proposing a modification to the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) to eliminate landfill monitoring for City-owned landfills.

Allegation that a City employee was responsible for organizing the event “That’s A Moray”, a city-run event that reportedly oversold tickets, causing a shortage of meals and in the City refunding all tickets sold for this event, resulting in a waste of city resources.

Allegation of abuse of authority by a City Supervisor against a City employee through targeting and harassment for refusing to work at the Alvarado Transit Center due to dangers present there.

The purpose of this report is to document the results of an inspection conducted by the City of Albuquerque (City) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the City’s compliance with CDBG-CV grant expenditures of the Eviction Prevention Program and the Sure Stay Motel Acquisition.

The Office of Inspector General initiated an investigation into the alleged false claims and negligence in the carrying out of duties by the City’s Code Enforcement Division resulting in vandalism and the loss of personal property.

The Office of Inspector General received an anonymous complaint alleging a City employee is abusing their time and teleworking days to travel to vacation locations and is incorrectly reporting their time into the City time-sheet system, Kronos.

The office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging that there are issues with the City of Albuquerque and the Office of Neighborhood Coordination’s interpretation of notification requirements to neighborhood associations and coalitions on different types of land development issues.

The Office of Inspector General received an anonymous complaint alleging an Environmental Health Department (EHD) employee (E1) is using an EHD department parking permit to park their personal vehicle at the Civic Plaza parking lot. The complainant also alleged that E1 may be committing time-reporting fraud by coming in late and leaving early.

Alleged misuse of position and violations of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures by the Animal Welfare Department.

Allegation that the City is not consistently following its hiring policies.

Allegation of retaliation for participation in an investigation by relocating a City employee to another location with the same title but different duties with a one (1) day notice.

Allegation that a complaint, concerning harassment/retaliation for participation in an investigation regarding the Gibson Health Hub, filed with the Department Director, City Administration, and Human Resources was not addressed in accordance with the City Ordinance.

Alleged retaliation by adding on-call duties, removal from meetings, and pulling a critical position due to the employee's participation in a previous investigation.

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The Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation into the alleged false statements made through a complaint resulting in the harassment of a City employee for their participation in a previous OIG investigation and the subsequent corrective action. The purpose of the investigation was to substantiate or not substantiate, through the collection of sufficient evidence, the allegations of harassment or retaliation of the City employee for their participation in the OIG investigation.

The Office of Inspector General initiated an investigation into the alleged nonfeasance and misrepresentation of facts related to the use of unverified chemicals to sanitize City buses during the COVID-19 Pandemic and abuse of authority and undue influence, by a City Official, resulting in circumvention of City policies and the possibility of conflict of interest between a City Official and the vendor.

Alleged waste of resources due to unnecessary hiring at BioPark related to two positions

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging that a City Employee was operating a private business out of their residence on City time.

Alleged waste of resources related to the City's purchase and installation of the EAGL shot detection system.

The Office of Inspector General received multiple complaints subject to the Whistleblower Protection Act. The complaints alleged violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and nonfeasance by City of Albuquerque (City) employees related to the City’s demolition and remodeling of the Gibson Health Hub facility creating a threat to the health of anyone in the facility.

The Office of Inspector General received a compliant alleging that the Parking Division Manager plays favoritism when hiring employees.

Allegation of abuse of authority by a City employee.

Alleged misuse of CDBG-CV grant funds and Gross receipts tax bond funds.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging that the City's Parks and Recreation Department violated the New Mexico Anti-Donation Clause through the purchase and installation of indoor stadium turf for the Duke City Gladiators resulting in the misuse of taxpayers' dollars.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging that the City is profiting from the relocation of the bus stop at Coronado Park to 1st Street and Indian School.

Allegation that City Parking Enforcement Officers are failing to perform duties.

Allegation of poor conditions at Westside Emergency Shelter.

Multiple Parking Complaints Recieved

The Office of Inspector General received an anonymous complaint alleging a Family and Community employee is abusing time.

Allegation of Code Enforcement Failing to Equitably Cite Healthcare for the Homeless as a Nuisance Property for their Clients’ Encampments on the Sidewalk

Alleged Non-Compliance with Public Comment Period

Allegation of a Violation of Operations Policy and Procedures on Adoptions of Animals by Employees

The City’s Planning Department did not obtain an extension of time for the Chief Building Official to obtain the certified building official designation with the State of NM Construction Industries Division within 60 days as required by Article 13.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging a waste of city resources in the Animal Welfare Department. The complainant alleged that a supervisor, tasked with inventorying, ordering, and organizing supplies for the Animal Welfare Department authorized the disposal of brand-new, fully functional cat boxes.

City Vehicle Parked at Private Residence During Workweek Daytime Hours

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging misuse of budget, theft of tools and parts, and fraud through changing labels on sanitizer and retaliation.

The Office of Inspector General received a series of complaints regarding the Animal Welfare Department and various violations of the Humane and Ethical Animals Rules and Treatment (HEART) Ordinance.

Alleged City vehicle wasting gas and idling.

Alleged Contract Mismanagement Resulting in Waste

The Office of Inspector General received information alleging 'I wish to report fraudulent activities by the City Parking Department officials as it relates to potential violations of local, state and federal Privacy Act.

Alleged contract violations for charging the homeless for services.

Alleged willful violations of the Integrated Development Ordinance.

The Office of Inspector General received an online complaint alleging misconduct by an employee and a conflict of interest between the employee and a vendor.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) received an email complaint alleging the Planning Department Code Enforcement Division Deputy Director’s statement “The property owner is in compliance with the Integrated Development Ordinance” was dishonest, fraudulent, and abusive of the position. The OIG determined that the allegation contained elements of potential fraud, waste, or abuse and that it was appropriate for the OIG to conduct a fact-finding investigation.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging that an employee with the Department of Municipal Development was recently given a position that the employee is not qualified for and in which the employee does not possess the technical knowledge or education required for that position.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint regarding Crossing Guards not performing their job duties.

The Office of Inspector General received an anonymous complaint stating that an employee recorded the euthanizing of a canine and proceeded to post it publicly on the social media platform, TikTok.

A complaint was received by the OIG that expressed several concerns regarding the Information Services Committee (ISC) and their compliance with the City Ordinance and the State of New Mexico Open Meetings Act.

The City of Albuquerque (City) operates a 311 Communications Center where constituents can call in for information, report matters, or file complaints. All calls are documented in the CRM system. Calls requiring additional assistance are referred to the appropriate department and sometimes to the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG initiated a review to gain an understanding of the process utilized by the 311 Communications Center to determine if duplication of efforts by the City departments and the OIG can be mitigated while ensuring that all complaints of fraud, waste, or abuse are appropriately referred to the OIG for assessment and investigation.

ABQtodo Instagram Account

Library Job Posting

Alleged Library Timecard Fraud

Alleged Procurement Violaitons

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) received a complaint alleging retaliation, in the form of reassignment to a different supervisor and requiring office relocation to a smaller space, as the result of participation in an investigation conducted by the OIG and a private investigation firm regarding time card fraud.

The Office of Inspector (OIG) received an anonymous complaint regarding two separate investigations into the same matter; one investigation being conducted by the City's OIG and the other being conducted by a private investigations firm. The complainant feels it is a waste of taxpayer money when the City has investigators.

Alleged illegal lighting installation between Carlisle and GIrard

Allegation of City employee earning degree during working hours

Alleged fraud and abuse by DMD Director regarding their violation of City Ordinance with residential lighting

Alleged Unethical and Corrupt Behavior Amongst Two City Councilors if the form of a Quid Pro Quo

On January 7, 2022, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) received an email complaint stating 'Time card fraud should be addressed at Aviation Department with Finance including Warehouse employees before it gets to media.' The OIG determined that the allegation contained potential fraud, waste, or abuse and that it was appropriate for the OIG to conduct a fact-finding investigation. The purpose of the investigation was to address the alleged time card fraud in the City of Albuquerque's (City) Aviation Finance and Warehouse Divisions.

A news story published on December 20, 2021, alleged that that Animal Welfare Department (AWD) violated its own policies in the matter of the adoption of an intact dog to an officer with the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). On December 21, 2021, the OIG received an email defining numerous complaints regarding AWD. The email contained six (6) allegations of violations of City ordinances and abuse by the AWD.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint that the driver of a City vehicle stopped and took some Christmas Decorations belonging to the a citizen from the front of their apartment and put the decorations in the City vehicle.

An anonymous complaint was received through the Inspector General hotline regarding an employee at the Parks and Recreation Department allegedly committing Time Card Fraud.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint concerning conditions at the Westside Emergency Housing Center.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review into past investigations involving the Animal Welfare Department (AWD). The OIG looked at all AWD investigations from 2015 through 2021, focusing on the OIG’s observations, assessments and findings during each of the investigations. The purpose of this review was to try and determine if there were any trends or similar issues that continued to resurface.

The City of Albuquerque (City) has many policies and procedures, some covering all departments and some that are department specific. The purpose of this review is to identify all policies and procedures, current and archived to be maintained for historical purposes.

The Office of Inspector General received a request to conduct an investigation into the City's hiring practices in relation to the Military Veteran's Hiring Initiative Administrative Instruction (AI) 7-57 implemented on July 11, 2019.

Union Negotiations

Alleged Abuse of Power Related to Covid Protocols

Parking citations not processed prior to dates of fee escalation

Art & Culture Department Lack of Training Provided

APD Procurement Process

AFR Hiring Requirement Waiver

The Office of Inspector General conducted an investigation to address potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to alleged fraud via duplicate billings to the City contract and to Medicaid.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint that a City Administrator was involved in an accident in a City Vehicle and did not follow City policy regarding vehicle accident reporting.

Parks and Recreation employee incident in Old Town

The Office of the Inspector General was provided with information regarding allegations of threats of physical harm, harassment, retaliation and discrimination made by a Supervisor at the Office of Senior Affairs (SA). In addition, the initial complainants stated that there was a conflict of interest issue and improper use of a Procurement card (P-Card) at SA.

The Office of Inspector General was asked to review an attempted Fraudulent ACH transaction from the City of Albuquerque in the amount of $1.9 million to a vendor.

The Office of Inspector General conducted an investigation based on information received regarding concerns involving the Aviation Department Custodial Division.

A confidential complaint was forwarded to the Office of Inspector General in reference to three volunteers with the Animal Welfare Department (AWD). These volunteers are alleged to have been reported multiple times to the various managers and the Director with AWD, yet have been able to continue volunteering and negatively representing both the Department and City of Albuquerque.

The Office of Inspector General was provided with information regarding allegations of the City of Albuquerque and possible fraud as it relates to the use of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds.

In 2020, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) began requesting responses from the City of Albuquerque Departments when findings and recommendations are made in OIG reports. The written responses include the department's planned corrective actions and where appropriate, date for achieving the planned actions. This process was implemented to further strengthen the procedures for resolutions of investigation findings and corrective actions on recommendations made. The purpose of this follow-up is to report on the progress made by departments in addressing the report findings and recommendations.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint indicating that a passenger in a Solid Waste truck was smoking an illegal substance in a business bathroom and that this was the second time this had occurred.

The Office of Inspector General was asked to review the contract between the City and the Balloon Fiesta that details responsibilities of each party to the other. The purpose was to review the contract deliverables and reporting requirements to ensure they were in compliance.

The Office of Inspector General reviewed the findings and recommendations of the Office of the State Auditor regarding travel expenses of City Councilor Pena that were not in compliance with City travel regulations.

The OIG conducted and completed investigation 19-0002-I “Beehive” which was approved on May 27, 2020. During the course of that investigation several other red flags were found along with similar complaints being brought to our attention. All had a common denominator, the Former Animal Welfare Department Director (AWD), D1. The decision was made to open a separate investigation to look into those issues.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint that expressed concerns about the Department of Municipal Development Security Division.

The Office of Inspector General conducted an investigation regarding concerns that a Department of Municipal Development employee had been conducting personal business during work hours, including running a home health care business during work hours.

The Office of Inspector General received a request to conduct a performance review of a contract the Economic Development Department had established with EmprendeLatino, LLC to support entrepreneurs in the Hispanic community. The organization had undergone a significant change in staffing and the requestor wanted to ensure that there were no performance problems as a result.

The Office of the Inspector General was provided with information regarding allegations with City of Albuquerque and possible fraud as it relates to the public access TV contract. The allegations involved the eligibility of the contractor to obtain the initial contract, property obtained and purchased with City funds as well as property being retained by the contractor, and the office/location used by the contractor.

A complaint was forwarded to the Office of the Inspector General in reference to a volunteer with the Animal Welfare Department. This volunteer is alleged to have been reported multiple times to the various managers and Directors within the Animal Welfare Department, yet has been able to continue volunteering and negatively representing both the Department and City.

The Office of Inspector General received information that a vendor was overcharging the City based on the price list the complainant had. Aviation employee, AV1 contacted the OIG stating that there was a situation regarding a vendor to which Aviation “piggybacked” off of for services. AV1 stated the State of New Mexico Purchasing Division awarded a Price Agreement off of a Federal, General Services Administration (GSA) schedule.

The Office of Inspector General conducted an investigation based on information received regarding concerns that a twenty-foot (20') trailer was removed from the BioPark grounds and given to a local subcontractor. It is alleged that the trailer belonged to the City.

The Office of Inspector General for the City of Albuquerque conducted an investigation of allegations regarding the street lighting project and the associated contracts that were awarded to Citelum US, Inc.

The Office of the Inspector General for the City of Albuquerque conducted a thorough review of the different forms of data available to determine the time an Environmental Health Department employee was present at work and the time being reported on the employee’s timecard. The complaint stated an employee was suspected of time reporting fraud and abuse of position in the Environmental Health Department.

The Office of the Inspector General for the City of Albuquerque conducted a thorough review of the contracts between the City of Albuquerque (COA) and Beehive Technology, LLC . According to the initial complaint, Beehive was being used as a front to pay a subcontractor, who previously had a contract with the COA under a different name, Organizational Change Management, LLC. (OCM). The allegation stated that OCM had reached the contract limit with the COA and is why the company name of Beehive was being utilized.

The Office of Inspector General received a request from the Office of City Council requesting an inspection of the hiring processes at the City's Planning Department.

The Office of Inspector General received an anonymous compliant stating that the number of animals being euthanized by the Animal Welfare Department were being under reported. Complainant further states that the Animal Welfare Director and another AWD employee were removing animals that were killed from the software to make it appear they were never in the shelter.

The Office of Inspector General received a complaint from an anonymous worker for the City of Albuquerque stating that one of the Planning Department's employees has been accused of abusing the authority of his position for the financial gain of his brother and possibly himself.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the City of Albuquerque, NM, conducted an investigation based on information received regarding concerns with the contractor the City's Planning Department, Code Enforcement Division uses for board up services. Concerns were brought to the OIG that the emergency board up contractor was being over-utilized by on particular Code Enforcement employee and that there may be possible collusion.

The Office of Inspector General for the City of Albuquerque, NM conducted an investigation based on information received regarding a number of Transit employees traveling to the BYD plant in Lancaster, California to conduct bus assemble inspections for the City’s Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) project. According to the complainant, a number of Transit employees may not have been going to the BYD plant and instead were using work time as a vacation.

The Office of Inspector General conducted a thorough review involving cash handling procedures for the City of Albuquerque (City), the process by which the Albuquerque Museum collects money from the parking lot cash boxes, and the allegation of theft from these boxes by a City employee.

The Office of Inspector General for the City of Albuquerque received a complaint regarding "There's a Better Way" program, which was run by HopeWorks and funded by the City. HopeWorks is a nonprofit organization that provides services to people experiencing (or at risk of) homelessness in Albuquerque.

The Office of Inspector General for the City of Albuquerque conducted an investigation based on information received from a complaint regarding a police officer for the Aviation Department. According to the complaint, the police officer was accused of committing a security violation when accessing a particular gate which grants employees access to the airport grounds.

The Office of Inspector General for the City of Albuquerque conducted an investigation based on information received from a complaint regarding an employee with the Aviation Department (AD). According to the complaint, an AD Associate Director (AV-1) submitted a contract proposal for the job he was currently overseeing as an AD employee.

City of Albuquerque Board of Ethics directed OIG to conduct investigation involving allegations of public finance fraud by a City Council District 1 candidate.

The OIG conducted an investigation based on information received while conducting an investigation of the Transit Department. The information received alleged that TD employees at the Daytona Transit Facility had discharged water contaminated with pollutants.

The OIG conducted an investigation based on information received from the City’s Legal Department concerning an allegation that a Transit Department supervisor directed employees to work at his residence during working hours.

The OIG conducted an inspection of the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to gain an understanding of the City’s compliance and to share the results of this inspection with key leaders in City government, as well as with members of the community.

The OIG conducted an inspection of the Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) project related procurements to include the construction of the nine-mile ART corridor on Central Avenue and the purchase of the electric buses from BYD. The inspection disclosed there were several opportunities to improve processes within City government.

The OIG conducted an investigation based on information indicating possible retaliation and termination of an AWD employee. The information received indicated that employees who had cooperated with a previous OIG investigation of AWD were being suspended, demoted or placed on a Performance Improvement Plans. The purpose of the investigation was to determine if the actions against the terminated employee were retaliatory in nature.

The OIG conducted an investigation of allegations that the Animal Welfare Department Associate Director misused her position to circumvent established processes and policies for adopting animals that were required by the general public.

Misappropriation of City resources by BioPark employees who were involved in the conversion of a maintenance facility storage space to a makeshift "barbershop," where haircuts were provided to employees.