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.
The 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.
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Comments:
Charles Marsh
6:33pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Kudos to Gov Chafee and Ken block for investigating RI’s mult—million dollar “social services” industry. Hopefully, RI’s “Justice System” can now be trusted to oust the “bad guys”, along with the U.S. “Justice System”. Individuals that would exploit the poor and physically handicapped, are the “worst of the worst”.
Michael Trenn
7:05pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
As I understand this study, it is designed to identify problematic individual recipients. For example, extreme numbers of EBT cards at one address, or someone who has an out-of-state address, but gets RI Benefits. These things should be rooted out, and I applaud Ken Block for doing it. Chafee, however, is another matter entirely. The money being stolen belongs to US. WE deserve to know the particulars, and shame on Chafee for trying to hide them from us. He is our employee, not our King.
jon paycheck
7:31pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
all the info will be released just in time for the next campaign!!!!
and the taxpayers will just have to wait.
Wuggly Ump
12:01am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
This is why Government needs to be out of the charity business. Give it back to churches and community groups.