State officials say tip hotline helped reveal record abuse of public money
NASHVILLE — State officials have confirmed a record dollar amount of tax fraud for the most recent fiscal year, and they credit a confidential tip line with much of their success.
Calls to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline helped uncover a record $1,112,500 in confirmed thefts, shortages and questioned costs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, according to the comptroller’s office.
The tips were reported through telephone calls and online submission to the hotline.
The tips involved municipalities, counties, state agencies, federal agencies and nonprofit recipients of government funds, according to the comptroller’s office.
The Comptroller of the Treasury has provided a toll-free hotline for anyone to report government fraud, waste and abuse since October 1983.
“The hotline plays an important role in holding government accountable to its citizens,” Comptroller Justin P. Wilson stated in a release. “While I’m pleased to see the hotline is serving its purpose, the ultimate goal is to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse in government.”
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800-232-5454 or file a report online at www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline. You can follow the state comptroller’s office on Twitter @TNCOT.
