Ohio Inspector General releases report on ODJFS employee investigation
On Dec. 7, 2022, the Office of the Ohio Inspector General (OIG) received a referral from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) of suspected illegal or improper activity conducted by ODJFS Office of Workforce Development Employment Professional Maria Ford.
In the referral, ODJFS reported multiple concerns involving Ford, including that she was allegedly spending time during her workday on non-work related activities.
On Dec. 21, 2022, the OIG opened an investigation. In furtherance of the investigation, OIG investigators acquired and reviewed ODJFS records, phone records, bank records and emails, and conducted interviews and inquiries with Ford and other ODJFS staff.
From their evaluation of information obtained, OIG investigators determined Ford allegedly:
• Improperly accessed claims belonging to relatives, friends and other known persons contrary to agency policies.
• Improperly used State of Ohio resources and time on activities associated with her secondary employment and other advocacy interests.
The report of investigation includes 10 recommendations to improve policies and internal controls in order to prevent recurrences of similar wrongful acts.
The report of investigation is being referred to the Ohio Auditor of State, the Ohio Ethics Commission, the Ohio Department of Taxation, the Ohio Attorney General Charitable Law Section, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and the City of Columbus Prosecuting Attorney.
Ohio Inspector General Report of Investigation file number 2022-CA00027 is now available at https://watchdog.ohio.gov/static/Investigations/2023/2022-CA00027/2022-….