D.C. workers racked up millions of dollars in overtime through “blatant time and attendance fraud” and cronyism, a damning internal report has found.
The D.C. Department of Public Works’ garbage workers were paid about $3.45 million in overtime in fiscal 2009, hundreds of thousands more than had been budgeted. Auditors with the city finance department reviewed the payouts and found “various discrepancies” that led them to conclude there was “blatant time and attendance fraud to employees earning overtime despite the fact of not working any regular hours during the pay period,” according to a draft of the audit, obtained by The Examiner.
» Department of Public Works’ overtime budget, fiscal 2009: $3.3 million
» Department of Public Works’ overtime spent, fiscal 2009: $4.19 million
» Garbage division’s overtime budget, fiscal 2009: $2.8 million
» Garbage division’s overtime spent, fiscal 2009: $3.45 million
The audit criticizes executives in the department for “not monitoring time and attendance for employees” or “delegating” the responsibility to underlings, who in turn rewarded relatives and friends with hours. The audit describes a chaotic environment without any written policies for doling out overtime.
A staff assistant was given broad authority to approve time sheets.
“We confirm that at one point, the staff assistant was changing [and making changes to] time and attendance information for her sister, her spouse and another employee who had not worked shifts but who had received regular pay,” the audit states.
The audit covers fiscal 2009, but “we believe … the practices have been ongoing as far back as fiscal 2002,” the audit states.
Auditors have recommended that the city’s inspector general investigate the abuses, the draft report states.
D.C. Councilman Jim Graham, D-Ward 1, who has oversight over D.C.’s public works committee, was taken aback by news of the report.
“This is the first time I’m hearing of this,” he said. “I don’t like hearing it.”
One sanitation employee earned $1,435.93 in 10 days despite not having worked any regular hours during that time, auditors found. The time sheet did not agree with the overtime earned, yet the payments were approved.
Neither Attorney General Peter Nickles nor city spokeswoman Mafara Hobson returned calls seeking comment.
Download a draft of the Dec 24 audit report here.
