Office of the Inspector General
Information For
Taroub J. Faraj, Inspector General
Contact Us
Email: oig@elderaffairs.org
Main Telephone: (850) 414-2342
Fax: (850) 414-2301
4040 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, FL, 32399
The Office of the Inspector General serves as a central point for coordination of and responsibility for activities that promote accountability, integrity, and efficiency in government. Responsibilities of the Inspector General’s office are to:
- Direct and coordinate audits, investigations, and management reviews;
- Promote economy and efficiency;
- Prevent and/or detect fraud, waste, and abuse;
- Recommend corrective action concerning fraud, abuses, weaknesses, and deficiencies;
- Report expeditiously to the appropriate law enforcement agency when there is a reasonable basis to believe a violation of criminal law occurred; and
- Advise in the development of performance measures, standards, and procedures for evaluating agency programs, and administrative policies and procedures.
To ensure an appropriate balance between audit, investigative and other accountability activities, the Office of the Inspector General is composed of two sections, Internal Audits and Investigations.
Florida Resources Links of Interest
- Florida Statutes – Office of Inspector General
- Governor’s Chief Inspector General
- Florida Statutes – Chapter 430 – Department of Elder Affairs
- State of Florida Auditor General
- Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
- Get Lean Florida
Related Resources
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General
- Association of Inspectors General
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Institute of Internal Auditors
OIG Annual Report
Investigations
The Investigations Section works to deter, detect, and investigate allegations of fraud, waste, abuse or employee misconduct impacting the department. The section receives inquiries or complaints regarding departmental activity from many sources, including: the Whistle-blower’s Hotline, the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Get Lean Hotline, the Chief Inspector General’s Office, letters, telephone calls, emails, and the Executive Office of the Governor.
If suspicion of potential criminal activity is discovered, it is referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The OIG coordinates with law enforcement on any criminal investigation, while ensuring that issues of an internal nature are addressed administratively.
Investigations staff monitor and track all cases:
- All case findings are reported to the Department Secretary and appropriate managers.
- The OIG provides the necessary facts to the Department’s Office of Human Resources, the Office of the General Counsel, and/or Department managers to assist them in taking the appropriate actions.
- Cases involving criminal activity are referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency, in accordance with Florida Statutes.
Investigations are conducted in accordance with quality and quantitative standards as set forth in the Association of Inspectors General Principals and Standards for Offices of Inspector General and the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.
Whistle-blower Complaints
Information as defined by Sections 112.3187,112.3188, 112.3189, and 112.31895, Florida Statutes, are collectively referred to as the “Whistle-blower’s Act.” The intent of the Whistle-blower’s Act is to prevent agencies or independent contractors from taking retaliatory action against an employee who reports to appropriate agency violations of the law on the part of a public employer or independent contractor that create a substantial and specific danger to the public’s health, safety, or welfare. The law is also intended to prevent agencies or independent contractors from taking retaliatory action against any person who discloses information to an appropriate agency alleging improper use of governmental office, gross waste of funds, or any other abuse or gross neglect of duty on the part of an agency, public officer, or employee.
The Whistle-blower’s Act also provides recourse for a reporting party if it is suspected that retaliatory action has been taken as a result of that party’s reporting activity. The Whistle-blower Act also provides that the name of the person disclosing such information shall be confidential and that the resulting investigation shall remain confidential until the closure of the investigative file.
Certain criteria are required in order for a complaint to merit the Whistle-blower designation. All Whistle-blower complaints will be investigated in accordance with Sections 112.3187 – 112.31895, Florida Statutes. The Office of the Chief Inspector General also coordinates the activities of the Whistle-blower’s Act and maintains a toll-free Whistle-blower’s hotline at (800) 543-5353. You may use the Chief Inspector General’s Whistleblower Form for your convenience (This form is intended only for a State employee, former State employee, State Agency contract employee, or Applicant for State employment).
Resources
Office of Inspector General Investigations
Florida Whistle-blower’s Act
Internal Audit
The internal audit function provides an independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve the Department’s operations. It helps the Department accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
Section 20.055, Florida Statutes, provides the authority for internal audit activities and provides that:
- The inspector general shall review and evaluate internal controls necessary to ensure the fiscal accountability of the department.
- Audits shall be conducted in accordance with the current International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing as published by the Institute of Internal Auditors, Inc., or where appropriate, in accordance with generally accepted governmental auditing standards.
- The inspector general and staff shall have access to any records, data, and other information of the department he or she deems necessary to carry out his or her duties, and may also request such information or assistance from the department or from any federal, state, or local government entity.
- At the conclusion of each audit, the inspector general shall issue a report of preliminary findings and recommendations to the person responsible for supervision of the program or unit, who shall respond to any adverse findings within 20 working days.
- The results of audits and reviews shall be submitted to the commissioner, chief inspector general, and the Auditor General.
- The inspector general shall monitor the implementation of the department’s response to any report issued by the Auditor General or the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability.
Annual Audit Plan
Section 20.055, Florida Statutes, requires the inspector general to develop long-term and annual audit plans based on periodic risk assessments of the department. The objective of the risk assessment is to optimize the assignment of internal audit resources through a comprehensive understanding of the audit universe and the risks associated with each item. The approved audit plan includes projects for the current fiscal year, as well as anticipated projects for two subsequent fiscal years. The plan will guide our activities throughout the year but is subject to change as department priorities change and new risks are identified.
Contact Information
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Office of Inspector General
4040 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Office of Inspector General Main Telephone: (850) 414-2342
Fax: 850-414-2301
Resources
What to Expect During an Audit
Fraud: The Responsibility of Management and Auditors
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. (CFA)
An accreditation program has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an entity has met specific requirements and prescribed standards. In 2009, the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. (CFA) expanded its program to include the Office of Inspectors General.
The CFA offers the opportunity for the Inspectors General of Florida with an Investigations function to evaluate policies and procedures against the standards developed by the Chief Inspector General, the Inspectors General Workgroup, and Commission Staff. Accreditation of the investigation process within the Office of Inspectors General will significantly enhance the consistency and quality of these investigations.
The Commission meets three times per year to oversee the accreditation program and to officially accredit agencies that have passed the rigorous review process.
In April 2017, a CFA assessment team reviewed 46 individual standards during an on-site assessment of our Investigation Section and determined compliance with all the standards. On June 21, 2017, the Commission voted unanimously to award the certificate of accreditation, which remained in effect for three years. On June 29, 2023, our office achieved its second reaccreditation.