FAQs about the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General
1. What is the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
2. What is the purpose of the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
4. What are the limits of the authority of the Jefferson Parish Inspector General?
5. What powers are available to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
6. Is the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General affiliated with any law enforcement agency?
7. When should I report a matter to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
9. What types of reports does the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General decline?
10. Who can report a matter to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
11. How do I make a report to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
12. Does the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General accept anonymous reports?
13. After I file a report, what happens?
15. Is information provided to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General kept confidential?
1. What is the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
The Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General is a parish department. It was created when the citizens of Jefferson Parish voted to amend the Jefferson Parish Home Rule Charter. Employees of the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General, including the Inspector General, are parish employees. However, the office is “operationally independent” from parish government. This means that neither the Parish Council, Parish President nor any employee of the parish may prevent, impair or prohibit the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General from carrying out its purpose. JPCO 2-155.10(7)
2. What is the purpose of the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
The purpose of the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General is to provide a full-time program of investigation, audit, inspections and performance to assist parish government in improving operations and to deter and identify fraud, waste, abuse and illegal acts which affect parish government. (JPCO 2-155.10(2))
3. What is the difference between an investigation and an audit by the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
Generally, investigations are carried out by the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General to resolve specific allegations of fraud, waste or abuse or acting on information concerning possible violations of law, regulation or policy. An audit is carried out to examine organizational program performance, financial management matters, or other issues related to systems and controls.
4. What are the limits of the authority of the Jefferson Parish Inspector General?
The Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General does not have the authority to investigate, audit or engage in performance reviews of public offices outside of Jefferson Parish government, including by way of example the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, Coroner, or School Board. The Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General may investigate, audit or engage in performance reviews of parish government, parish agencies, special districts, or entities receiving funds through the parish. JPCO 2-155.10(12)
5. What powers are available to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
The Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General has the authority to access all records, reports, documents, computer hard drives, e-mails, correspondence and any other data held by the parish or accessible by the parish which is relevant to a matter within its oversight authority. It may also compel the appearance of anyone for questioning and the production of any documents and other data through the issuance of an administrative or court authorized subpoena. La.R.S. 33:9613
6. Is the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General affiliated with any law enforcement agency?
The Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General is a parish law enforcement agency. It is not affiliated with any other law enforcement agency. Any unlawful or criminal conduct is reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General will work cooperatively with local, state and federal law enforcement when appropriate. JPCO 2-155.10(7)(c)
7. When should I report a matter to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
You should contact the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General whenever you have a reasonable suspicion or specific knowledge of fraud, waste, abuse or illegal activity occurring within Jefferson Parish government, including any parish departments, or involving the sale of goods and services to the parish.
8. Does the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General investigate all reports of fraud, waste, abuse or illegal acts it receives?
No. When required by law, the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General will refer matters to appropriate law enforcement or regulatory agencies. The office may also decline to take action on a report for other reasons such as a lack of authority, insufficient information, the matter is being acted upon by another agency with primary authority, insufficient resources, etc.
9. What types of reports does the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General decline?
By way of example, the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General will decline reports related to public officials outside of Jefferson Parish government based on a lack of jurisdictional authority. This includes the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, Coroner, or School Board. The office may also decline to investigate matters that may be appropriately resolved under another process, such as pending employee grievances and pending court cases.
10. Who can report a matter to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
Anyone can report a matter to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General.
11. How do I make a report to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General?
There are several ways to make a report to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General:
(1) Visit our website at www.jpoig.net and click “Report Waste, Fraud or Abuse”;
(2) Call our tip line at (504) 736-8961;
(3) Send a letter by facsimile to (504) 736-8963;
(4) Send a letter addressed to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General,
990 N. Corporate Dr. - Suite 300 Jefferson, Louisiana 70123; or
(5) Contact us at (504) 736-8962 to schedule an appointment with an agent.
12. Does the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General accept anonymous reports?
Yes. The Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General will accept anonymous reports of fraud, waste, abuse or illegal acts relating to Jefferson Parish government, entities or individuals over which the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General has authority to investigate or audit. However, the office encourages complainants to provide contact information, which can be maintained in confidence. Often times, complainants are unable to see the value of information critical to our efforts.
13. After I file a report, what happens?
When the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General receives a report, the information is reviewed to determine whether it contains allegations relating to fraud, waste, abuse or illegal acts over which the Jefferson parish Office of Inspector General has authority to investigate or audit. If a report does not contain actionable information, the matter is closed and/or referred to the appropriate authority. If a report contains actionable information, the information undergoes a preliminary review. After preliminary review, the matter may be declined, referred, or assigned for an investigation or audit.
14. What communication can I expect from the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General after I make a report?
If you provide contact information, the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General may contact you for additional information or clarification. The Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General is an independent, objective, oversight agency. It is the office’s policy not to discuss the status of a report or provide updates with a complainant.
15. Is information provided to the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General kept confidential?
Under Louisiana state law, any information compiled by the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General during an investigation or audit is confidential and privileged. Generally, it is not subject to release under Freedom of Information laws. Any information compiled during an investigation or audit that is privileged under other laws remains privileged and confidential. Information that supports an investigative or audit finding may become part of a public report. At that time, the information may be released. La.R.S. 33:9614; JPCO 2-155.10(8)
