Elements of Fraud Investigation By the Richmond City Auditor’s Office

Who Are We? The Office of Inspector General Staff Authority

Tools Fraud Hotline - Designated telephone line with no caller ID that accepts complaints. Interactive Website – Allows Auditor/Investigator to communicate with complainant. Smart Phone App – Allows citizens to file complaint and take picture/Video and send to Auditor/Investigator.

Why Prosecute? Punishment of the offender Deterrence of misconduct by others Building respect for the law and creating a fair and equitable environment The nature and seriousness of the misconduct and the harm caused

Factors to Consider Criminal intent must be present The size of the loss involved whether the loss stems from multiple events or by an isolated incident Strength of the case The Department’s objective of achieving general deterrence

Phases of an investigation Validation of Complaint Evidence gathering Interviews/Interrogations Testifying Report

Preservation of Evidence Obtain original documents Make working copies for review keep original documents segregated Do not touch original documents more than necessary Maintain good filing system

Preservation of Evidence What is Chain of Custody? Best way to handle this is by memorandum What items were received When they were received From whom they were received Where are they maintained If records must be turned over to someone else, a record should be made

Interviews/Interrogations (cont.) Types of Questions Open Closed Leading Allow interviewee to talk Closing Questions Why should note taking be at a minimum? Should you write Down a list of Interview questions?

Interviews/Interrogations Miranda Warnings What is it? When is it Required? Garrity Warnings Recording Interviews What are the Rules in your state?

Email Integrity Make sure to maintain how many emails were not read in each of the folders Be careful when reviewing emails because you may change weather the document were read by the individual

Prepare Referral to the Prosecutors Get prosecutor’s input Thoroughly document/ detailed case notes Prepare a summary of all case notes Walk the prosecutors through your documentation and evidence Resolve the issues raised by the prosecutor

Questions