NEW: Chafee Defends Decision Not to Release Fraud Report
Monday, March 11, 2013
Governor Lincoln Chafee cites ongoing investigation as reason his administration won't provide details of a report done by Ken Block.
In a statement released moments ago, Chafee says there has been a “great deal of misconception” over the findings of Block’s report, which he says was commissioned for “internet use” to find any instances of waste, fraud, abuse or process failure “that could be remedied to save taxpayer dollars.”
“These findings are now being reviewed and are currently being turned over to various appropriate agencies for investigation and process corrections to save taxpayer dollars,” Chafee said.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Governor said that he would release the results “at the appropriate time” if the information wouldn’t jeopardize his administration’s ability to “root out fraud and abuse.”
“The work with Ken Block, the Office of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Human Services is continuing,” he said. “Additionally, my FY2013 budget contained funding for an integrity unit within OHHS. Those positions are now being filled and recently an RFP has been issued to contract with a vendor to add an additional layer of waste and fraud prevention to the current system.”
Chafee said he has chosen not to release the preliminary findings in order to protect his administration’s ability “to adequately investigate them.”
“What should matter to Rhode Islanders is that my administration commissioned this work and is acting on it,” he said.
