Auditor General releases Fraud, Waste & Whistleblower Semi-Annual Update

HAMILTON, ON –The Office of the Auditor General presented the City of Hamilton’s Fraud, Waste and Whistleblower Semi-Annual Update today covering reports received during the second half of 2022.

A total of 74 reports were received by the Office of the Auditor General between July and December 2022. Of these reports, four investigations were launched, and 27 referrals were made which consist of internal reviews or investigations led by City of Hamilton staff and which require a report back of the results to the Auditor General for further assessment. Under the Whistleblower By-law (19-181) there were also three reports determined to be from whistleblowers.

The results of the four investigations and 27 referrals will be reported publicly as part of the Auditor General’s Fraud and Waste Annual Report expected to be submitted to the Audit, Finance, and Administration Committee in the final quarter of 2023. This more detailed report will contain additional analysis, case samples and outcomes for the twelve-month period of July 2022 to June 2023 once the analysis has been completed by the Office of the Auditor General.

Quick Facts

• As of June 30, 2023, the Fraud and Waste Pilot Program has completed four years of operations. The Fraud and Waste Hotline provides City employees, contractors, vendors and members of the public with a convenient, confidential and anonymous way to report suspicion or proof of wrongdoing. It also enables the City to operate with a high level of honesty and integrity.
• The most recent Fraud and Waste Annual Report was tabled in February 2023 and the Hotline was made permanent in March 2023.
• From Hotline inception (July 2019) to December 2022 the Auditor General has received 346 reports, launched 72 investigations, and made 130 referrals for other parties to report back results of their own reviews.