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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Office of the Inspector General?

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is the City of Atlanta’s independent watchdog agency for the advancement of integrity in municipal operations. Comprised of three divisions—Compliance, Ethics, and Independent Procurement Review—the OIG conducts investigations and reviews, provides education and advice, and enforces rules and regulations to ensure the lawful, effective, and efficient administration of the Atlanta city government.

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What is the OIG’s jurisdiction?

The OIG investigates allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, corruption, and misconduct of City of Atlanta employees, elected officials, commission and board members, vendors and subcontractors who do business with the City of Atlanta.

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What is the mission of the OIG?

The mission of the OIG is to build public trust in the City of Atlanta government by engaging in prevention, investigation, and enforcement to eliminate fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct.

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Who appoints the Inspector General?

The Inspector General is appointed by the Governing Board of the Office of the Inspector General (Governing Board), confirmed by Atlanta City Council, and approved by the Mayor.

 

The Governing Board is comprised of nine citizens residing, employed, or doing business in the City of Atlanta, who are appointed by the following civic, professional, and educational institutions: the Atlanta Bar Association, the Gate City Bar Association, the Atlanta Business League, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta-Fulton County League of Women Voters, the Atlanta Planning Advisory Board, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the seven major universities/colleges within the city (Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College).

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Who does the OIG report to?

The Office of the Inspector General is an independent body that reports to the Governing Board of the Office of the Inspector General.

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How do I file a complaint?

Complaints can be filed with the OIG:

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When should I file a complaint?

File a complaint with the OIG to report:

  • Suspected misconduct on the part of a City of Atlanta employee, elected official, board member or member of a commission;

  • Suspected fraudulent or other illicit activity on the part of any individual or entity contracting with the City; or

  • Evidence of significant waste, abuse or mismanagement within the City

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What information must I provide when filing a complaint?

OIG investigations are most successful when you provide as much information as possible about the alleged suspects(s) and/or victim(s) involved. The more you can tell us, the better chance we have of determining whether a crime, misconduct, or waste has occurred.

As you fill out a complaint, please include the following about the alleged suspect(s) and/or victim(s):

  • Names

  • Addresses

  • Telephone numbers

  •  [Any additional identifying information]

 

It is especially helpful to know facts about the alleged fraud, such as:

  • Description of the fraud, waste, abuse or misconduct

  • Location where the fraud, waste, abuse or misconduct took place

  • When the fraud, waste, abuse or misconduct took place

  • How the fraud, waste, abuse or misconduct was committed

  • Why the person committed the fraud, waste, abuse or misconduct (if known)

  • Who else has knowledge of the potential violation

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May I file a complaint anonymously?

Yes, you can choose not to provide any identifying information (name, address, etc.) when you submit a complaint. Please note, however, that opting to remain anonymous precludes the OIG from investigating a whistleblower retaliation complaint and may hinder OIG from thoroughly reviewing and/or resolving the detailed allegations.

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What types of actions can be taken if an investigation reveals misconduct?

The Office of the Inspector General may take a number of actions if it determines that misconduct has occurred.

  • Administrative sanction of not more than $1,000 assessed by the Office of the Inspector General

  • Public reprimand by the Office of the Inspector General

  • Prosecution by the City Solicitor in Municipal Court for a violation, and, upon conviction, to a fine of up to $1,000 per violation and up to six months imprisonment

  • Administrative referral to a City department/unit for employee disciplinary action

  • Criminal referral to a relevant outside prosecutor (District Attorneys, Attorney General, United States Attorney’s Office) to pursue criminal charges

  • Recommendation of suspension or debarment of City vendors

  • Policy and procedure recommendations to a City department/unit for systemic reform

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What if I fear I may lose my job if I report possible violations?

The Atlanta City Charter prohibits City officials and employees from interfering with your reporting of possible violations and from retaliating against you once you have reported possible violations.

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Can an employee discuss an OIG investigation with non-OIG personnel?

No, if you are asked to be interviewed by or submit documentation to an OIG investigator, the subject of the inquiry must not be disclosed; any investigations concerning waste, fraud, abuse or misconduct shall remain confidential until a final report is completed.

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Does the OIG have subpoena power?

Yes, the OIG has the power to issue subpoenas, which principally assists the office in obtaining documentation from third parties. With respect to documentation possessed by the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta City Charter requires that City departments and employees provide the OIG ready access to such records.

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To whom may questions or issues about OIG's investigative process be addressed?

If you have questions about the investigative process, you may contact the OIG at: 404-546-2270.

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What can I expect when I call the OIG Tip Line?

If you contact the OIG Tip Line (404-546-2271) during business hours, you will be able to speak directly with an investigator to report your issue. If you contact the OIG Tip Line after business hours, you will be able to leave a voicemail and will be contacted within 24 hours, except on weekends. Please make sure to leave your contact information so the investigator can reach you if there are additional questions.

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When will the case close? 

It is impossible to predict how long an OIG inquiry or investigation will take.  As our work progresses, often, we are presented with additional facts that we must investigate.  We follow reasonable leads with due diligence.

 

How do you share your findings once you close a case?

When we close an inquiry or investigation, we may publish our findings in various forms:

  • Independent Procurement Review Report: Once City Council has publicly considered a solicitation, OIG will post the report detailing the findings of the IPro review. You can search for IPro reports under the Publications tab on our website.

  • Final Decision and Report (FDR): Pursuant to Section 8-101(h)(1) of the Charter of the City of Atlanta, OIG issues final decisions and reports, which provide a summary of the investigation, directly to the parties of record after the investigation is complete.

  • Referral Letter: Where OIG substantiates allegations—that is, where OIG determines that it is more likely than not that the alleged misconduct occurred—OIG sends a referral letter to the department and/or an outside agency with jurisdictional authority, outlining our findings for the department or outside agency to take whatever action it deems appropriate.  Under some circumstances, for example, if the agency is already aware of the findings or if there is no applicable action to be taken under the circumstances, OIG may close our case without sending a referral letter.

  • Policy and Procedure Recommendation (PPR): Where OIG identifies systemic issues or vulnerabilities for fraud, waste, abuse, and/or corruption during an investigation, OIG will issue one or more PPRs within a referral letter to the department outlining our findings and calling for changes to policies and/or procedures to address the identified systemic issues or vulnerabilities. PPRs require a response from the department to OIG identifying whether the department accepts or rejects a recommendation, and offering an explanation if it rejects a recommendation. OIG then follows up with the department regarding its progress towards implementing those recommendations it has accepted. You can search PPRs under the Publications tab on our website.

  • Public Report: In some circumstances, OIG will issue a public report that will be posted on our website under the Publications tab.  Factors considered in OIG’s decision to issue a public report include, without limitation:

    • Position of the individual(s) / office(s) involved

    • Scope / severity of the misconduct

    • Safety hazard(s) / life safety issues

    • Issues of public concern or matters that correct the public record

    • Value of financial loss  

 

If I notice something is not working on your website, who may I contact?

If you notice issues with the website, please contact the OIG at: 404-546-2270.

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