compliance investigation division

The Compliance Investigation Division (CID) is the second of three units reporting to the Public Auditor. Audit is the other division within the Office of the Public Auditor (OPA). The primary investigative functions of CID are compliance and administrative. CID investigates allegations of serious violations of the law and government rules and regulations. The division also works to identify systems and accountability weaknesses in the state’s financial administration and gathers evidence of noncompliance activity. Administrative investigations focus on violations of policies and such issues as misuse of Government resources and official time, preferential treatment, abuse of authority, nepotism, and travel irregularities. CID uses the Quality Standards for Investigations (QSI) issued by the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), which provide a framework for conducting high quality investigations.

Investigations conducted by OPA investigators usually are the result of allegations received from:

• Government agency management and other agency employees
• Referrals from the Audit Division
• The Legislature
• The general public
• Other parties, such as contractors

CID works closely with the OPA’s Audit Division, the Attorney General, and other subject matter experts as necessary. When appropriate, CID works with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and other national and local law enforcement agencies.

Hotline

CID also maintains the OPA Hotline. This is a confidential channel for complaints about Government programs and operations which concern, for example:

• Violations of law or regulations
• Gross waste of funds
• Abuse of authority
• Substantial and specific dangers to public health and safety