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August 2007 > Mayor Brown Announces Public Integrity and Accountability Plan

Mayor Brown Announces Public Integrity and Accountability Plan

Source/Contact
Office of the Mayor
Peter K. Cutler
Director of Communications
716-851-4841
Or
Melanie Gregg
716-851-4841

New plan also includes the creation of Office of Inspector General

BUFFALO—Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced the City of Buffalo’s Public Integrity and Accountability Plan, which will ensure integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior in City Hall as well as enhance public confidence in the employees of the City of Buffalo.  Since taking office, Mayor Brown has created a written travel policy, and all department heads have had a mandatory ethics training course given by the local Federal Bureau of Investigations office.

“This plan is part of the continuing progress we have made to make City government transparent and accountable through CitiStat Buffalo,” said Mayor Brown.   “Buffalo is the first city in the nation to televise its CitiStat meetings unedited, so that all citizens can see how their government is functioning and performing.  The new Public Integrity and Accountability Plan will enhance policies and procedures that are presently in place.”

Details of the Public Integrity and Accountability Plan include the creation of the Office of Inspector General, an independent, centralized office within the Executive Branch that is tasked with addressing government waste, fraud, abuse and complaints. The Office will have the authority to receive and investigate integrity related complaints and incidences of fraud, corruption, and abuse involving city personnel—including elected officials— contractors, vendors and consultants doing business with the City. 

The Inspector General will be charged with:

  • Preventing, detecting investigating, and correcting fraud in City government
  • Immediately assessing each and every area of City government where the potential for fraud exists and develop policies and internal controls to ensure that fraud cannot and will not will immediately assess each and every area of City government where the potential for fraud exists and develop policies and internal controls to ensure that fraud cannot and will not happen in the first place.
  • If, in spite of our best efforts there is any allegation of fraud, the Inspector General will investigate, detect, and correct it.
  • The City’s Inspector General will work with each and every branch of City Government and any person doing business with the City to ensure his or her efforts are comprehensive and integrated.

In addition to the Office of Inspector General, a “Government Integrity Hotline” will be established where City Hall employees and citizens will be able to report any suspicion of fraud.  Tips will be held in the strictest of confidence.  The Mayor will also conduct additional comprehensive and immediate ethics training for all city employees in a management or policy making positions, or that have access and influence in City procurement, contracting, or financial reporting and implementation systems.

“Today I am giving fair warning to anyone within City government or who does business with the City that we are watching you and if fraud is detected, we will catch you and punish you.” Mayor Brown concluded.