For More Information Contact:
Senator Cowles ~ 800.334.1465

Representative Kerkman ~ 888.529.0061

MADISON – Today, the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) released a report highlighting the activities of LAB’s Fraud, Waste, and Mismanagement Hotline (report 19-12). At the request of Senator Robert Cowles and Representative Samantha Kerkman, co-chairpersons of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, LAB reports semi-annually on hotline activity. The hotline was established in April 2008 and provides the public and individuals within state government way to confidentially report potential fraud, waste, and mismanagement in state agencies or programs, including at institutions in the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Technical College System.

“Getting the information from the Fraud, Waste, and Mismanagement Hotline on a more frequent basis will allow the Audit Committee and its co-chairs to more rapidly consider issues of waste, fraud, and abuse in state government. I want to thank the LAB for their flexibility to fulfill our request to report on the hotline activity every six months and for their diligent work following up on the reports submitted to the hotline,” said Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay).

Since inception through June 30, 2019, 1,133 reports were made to the hotline. From January 2019 through June 2019, LAB received 35 hotline reports, 26 of which were specific to state agencies or programs. These reports involved a variety of topics, including agency mismanagement, improper oversight of state funds, and waste or inefficiency in state government. In report 19-12, LAB also highlights three allegations that it resolved from January 2019 through June 2019.

“The hotline is a great way for the public and government employees to help their elected officials and the audit bureau become aware of government waste, fraud, and abuse. We encourage people to use the hotline to let us know about ways government operations can improve,” Representative Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) said.

Individuals may report concerns related to state government activities to LAB by calling the toll-free hotline at 1‑877‑FRAUD‑17, through a secure online reporting form available at www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab/hotline, or by mail. By law, the identity of the individual making the report will remain confidential.

Copies of report 19-12 may be obtained from LAB’s website at www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab or by calling (608) 266-2818.

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