Fraud, Waste or Abuse Anonymous Reporting Hotline

Do you have a concern or have seen something that appears to be fraudulent, or wasteful or an abuse of DC Courts public funds, services and/or personnel?

If so, call the FRAUD HOTLINE without identifying who you are. To report suspected fraud, financial impropriety or other unlawful, unethical, or otherwise unauthorized or prohibited conduct, individuals should use the following methods of reporting a concern to the DC Courts Fraud, Waste, or Abuse Anonymous Reporting Hotline:

English Speaking Toll-Free Hotline: (844) 970-4145
Spanish Speaking Toll-Free Hotline: (844) 970-4145
Amharic Speaking Toll-Free Hotline: (844) 970-4145
Email Address: dcsc [at] answernet.com
Fax number: (888) 226-0920

Websites:
English: www.corporatecompliancepartners.com/dcsc
Spanish: www.corporatecompliancepartners.com/dcsc_spanish
Amharic: www.corporatecompliancepartners.com/dcsc_amharic

Background | Regular U.S. Mail Address | Investigation | Retaliation | FAQs

Background

The Board of Judges and the Executive Management of the DC Courts in conjunction with the Internal Audit Unit in the Executive Office are committed to the ethical and lawful operation of each division and the use of public funds, public property, and other resources. To this end and to provide individuals with a venue by which to express their concerns, the Board of Judges in conjunction with the Internal Audit unit in the Executive Office have established the Fraud, Waste or Abuse Anonymous Reporting Hotline to provide for the anonymous and confidential reporting of suspected fraud, financial impropriety and other unlawful, unethical, or otherwise unauthorized or prohibited conduct.

To report suspected fraud, financial impropriety or other unlawful, unethical, or otherwise unauthorized or prohibited conduct, individuals should use the following methods of reporting a concern to the Fraud, Waste, or Abuse Anonymous Reporting Hotline.

The telephone number(s), email address, fax number and websites are operated by AnswerNet, an independent, third-party hotline services provider. This are safe, secure, and confidential communication channels.

This Fraud, Waste, or Abuse Anonymous Reporting Hotline is NOT a substitute for routine communications within our organization between associates and their supervisors and managers, particularly as to workplace duties. Likewise, it does not replace communications with Human Resource staff about benefit issues or other job-related issues. This Fraud, Waste, or Abuse Anonymous Reporting Hotline IS an additional communication tool for specific types of situations, and it is provided because we believe that it is a good business practice to do so. Regular business matters that do not require anonymity should be directed to the employee’s supervisor and should not be submitted using this service.

Regular U.S. Mail Address
In addition to the above channels, individuals may send a letter to AnswerNet, Fraud, Waste, or Abuse Anonymous Reporting Hotline, 2951 NW Division Street, Suite 110, Gresham, OR 97030. The report must include the organization’s name. This mailing address is maintained and monitored by AnswerNet as well.

Investigation
AnswerNet, the fraud, waste, or abuse anonymous reporting hotline services provider, has been instructed to refer any complaint received to the DC Courts Internal Audit Unit in the Executive Office and, where necessary, the Legal Counsel and/or other Board of Judges’ designee(s). The Internal Audit Unit, in consultation with any of the Board of Judges’ designee(s) shall promptly review and establish if the report regarding waste, abuse, or fraud requires an investigatory process. Such reports will be channeled to the Legal Counsel and other designee(s) deemed appropriate.

As deemed appropriate and necessary, the Board may procure the services of a qualified professional to conduct the investigation. If an investigation substantiates the anonymous allegation, the Board’s designee(s) or the contracted professional, in coordination and collaboration with Internal Audit, shall promptly inform the Board of the report, the investigation, and any responsive action taken or recommended by the administration. Anyone involved in an investigation shall be advised to keep information about the investigation confidential.

Retaliation
The Board of Judges is committed to protecting individuals from any form of reprisal, retaliation, or discrimination if they, in good faith, report suspected fraud and other impropriety. Anyone who believes that he or she has been the subject of reprisal, retaliation, or discrimination must report any such incident(s) to the DC Courts Equal Employment Opportunity Committee (EEOC), as appropriate. The Board considers reprisal, retaliation, or discrimination to be a major offense that will result in disciplinary action against the offender up to and including termination of employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Report To The Hotline?

• Violations of federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the District of Columbia Courts (Court of Appeals, Superior Court and Court Systems) programs and funding
• Substantial and specific danger to health or public safety at District of Columbia Courts
• Contract and procurement irregularities
• Theft and abuse of government property
• Employee misconduct
• Abuse of authority or conflict of interests
• Serious mismanagement
• Ethics violations
• Bribery
• Altering or destroying any record except as otherwise allowed by policy.

What Information Must I Provide?

• You must submit a written statement in support of allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and/or mismanagement.
• Submit the WHO (Names, addresses, phone numbers)
• Submit the WHAT (Specific events and evidence, loss to a program)
• Submit the WHEN (Date, time, frequency)
• Submit the WHERE (Location, City, State, XYZ Division)
• Submit the WHY (Gain to violator)
• Submit the HOW (What scheme was used)
• Information that is too vague or cannot be supported can result in a closed report, without action taken.

What Will Happen After Making A Report?

• The decision to pursue a Hotline report either through an investigation, audit, or review, rests exclusively with the DC Courts Internal Audit Unit. The DC Courts Internal Audit Unit will not provide you with case status updates or other information while the case is under review.
• Under no circumstances will the DC Courts Internal Audit Unit provide you with the status of action taken on an allegation.