Report I2012-1 Recommendation 2 Responses
Report I2012-1: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Agencies and Employees: Bribery, Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, Improper Overtime Payments, Improper Use of Lease Proceeds, Improper Travel Expenses, and Other Violations of State Law (Release Date: December 2012)
Case Number I2009-0689
Recommendation #2 To: Correctional Health Care Services, California
Correctional Health Services should discontinue reimbursing employees for expenses claimed in violation of state regulations.
Agency Response From May 2014
We received a copy of the report regarding the review of travel expense claims. According to the report, the review consisted of an examination of claims submitted between June 2010 and June 2013. The internal auditor who prepared the report concluded that travel expenses totaling $3,969 had been approved in violation of state regulations, and that weaknesses existed in the review and approval process for travel expense claims. The internal auditor recommended that Correctional Health Services and relevant staff at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation review the claims to determine how the improper approvals occurred, develop procedures and training to prevent such improper approvals from occurring, and determine whether any of the improper travel expenses that were approved can be collected. Thus, Correctional Health Services has made efforts to ensure that it does not continue to reimburse employees for travel expenses in violation of state regulations.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From January 2014
In January 2014, Correctional Health Services completed its spot review of travel expense claims to measure the department's compliance with state regulations governing their approval. The department reported that it will issue a report about the review very soon.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From November 2013
Correctional Health Services stated that it is in the process of conducting a spot review of travel claims to ensure compliance with state regulations. It plans to implement the recommendation by December 2013 and forward the results of the review to the California State Auditor.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From October 2012
Correctional Health Services reported that to help detect any improper reimbursements and to ensure compliance with policies and procedures it would initiate spot reviews of travel claims. (See 2013-406, p. 275)