NCJ Number
83523
Date Published
Unknown
Length
38 pages
Annotation
The report describes investigations by the Better Government Association (BGA), a private 'watchdog' group concerned with reducing government waste and corruption, into home health care, housing courts, child advocacy, and investigative reporting.
Abstract
BGA's 7-month investigation into home health care programs revealed evidence of fraud and abuse through overbilling, payroll padding, and fraudulent reports. BGA recommended changes in the home health care system before a congressional hearing. BGA has also investigated the compliance of congressional caucuses with congressional ethics rules. BGA protested the dismissal of inspectors general from Federal agencies, and their positions were reinstated. BGA also found that the Illinois Department of Public Aid was not complying with the State purchasing act and was squandering money to rent offices. It investigated Chicago housing courts' inability to combat slumlords and other cases of court corruption. BGA also investigated Chicago's Deep Tunnel public works project. The organization encourages grass roots action to combat corruption and has appeared at many public forums discussing investigative reporting. BGA has a summer intern program. Its other cases are briefly outlined and expense data are appended.