Inspector General -- Protecting the Trust!

Citizens of Albuquerque:

In April 2016, I was honored to be appointed by City Council to the position of Inspector General. More than two years later, I am stepping down from my position with mixed emotions. I am leaving for both personal and professional reasons.

I believe the OIG team has accomplished a lot over the past few years and remains fully committed to continuing to be proactive and focused on making a positive difference for all of you - the citizens and taxpayers! Our greatest priority continues to be the Protection of the Public Trust!

We are and always be objective, apolitical, independent and focused on serving each of you. We accomplish our mission by responding to allegations of wrongdoing on the part of City Officials, Employees, Contractors and Vendors, and ensure integrity and ethics are integral to the processes. To emphasize again -- we are an independent office of the City - we don't work for the Mayor or City Council - we work for You! - And we maintain an unbiased objective position to ensure fairness and impartiality in our investigations and reports.

I would like to highlight a few of the accomplishments of the Office of Inspector General staff during this past year. We completed comprehensive inspections of the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project (“ART”) and the City's historic compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is a Civil Rights Act, and several investigations.

The OIG’s priorities remain on the prevention, deterrence, detection and investigation of:

1. Potentially significant contract fraud that can lead to the recovery of monetary losses to the City and ensure projects don't pose health and safety risks to the public.
2. Corruption of City elected and appointed leaders, as well as employees entrusted with important responsibilities -- we must ensure the integrity of the people and processes are not compromised.
3. Systemic occupational fraud - we endeavor to fight the abuse of one's position to perpetrate fraud against the Citizens.
4. In addition to conducting investigations of alleged wrongdoing, we will proactively conduct inspections and reviews of programs and projects to ensure the compliance of all federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, policies and processes.

If you have any questions about our role and responsibilities, please contact our office at 505-768-3150. The OIG will remain available to you. This office is here to serve you!

Again, thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve you!

Respectfully,

David T. Harper

Some background on Inspectors General:

Office of Inspectors General (OIGs) exist at the federal, state and local level, and have a rich history in our Nation’s military. OIGs became prevalent at the federal level following the Inspector General Act of 1978.

While the OIGs in the military have historically focused on mission readiness, by conducting inspections of military organizations, the OIGs in the civilian sector, have focused on ensuring the public’s interest has been safeguarded. This is done by deterring, detecting, and investigating matters involving fraud, waste and abuse, which can include theft, embezzlement and bribery. 

The OIGs, which are typically independent to ensure objective and unbiased investigations, are also generally responsible for identifying opportunities for a government to become more efficient and effective, while promoting ethical, fiscal and legal accountability.

City of Albuquerque OIG:

Our Office will accomplish this mission by preventing, detecting, deterring and investigating fraud, waste and abuse, and promoting the efficiency and effectiveness in the programs and operations of the City of Albuquerque.  

We strive to promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency throughout the City of Albuquerque in order to safeguard and preserve the public trust.

We need your help!  Please report fraud, waste and abuse - it is never too late to do the right thing!

What to Know

Learn more about fraud.

What is a Fraud?

Any knowing deception designed to unlawfully deprive a governmental agency of something of value or to secure a benefit, privilege, allowance, or consideration to which an individual is not entitled. Such practice include, but are not limited to offer, payment, or acceptance of bribes or gratuities; making false statements; submitting false claims; falsifying records; arranging for secret profits, kickbacks, or commissions; and conspiring to use any of these devices. The term also includes conflict of interest cases and criminal activity.

What is Waste?

The extravagant, careless, or needless expenditure of Government funds, or the consumption of government property that results from deficient practices, systems, controls, or decisions.