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1. What is the purpose of a Fraud Hotline?

Centre County Government is committed to maintaining an environment of fairness, ethics, and honesty. We conduct our affairs ethically and in compliance with the law. The County's Fraud Prevention Policy formalizes the expectations of personal honesty and integrity required of County officials and employees.

We are proud of our employees and the high quality of services we provide to the community. In order to ensure that we maintain and improve on the quality and integrity of our services, it is important that we provide employees and the public with various methods to express their concerns. The Fraud Hotline allows for the reporting of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse so that appropriate action can be taken.

2. What activities should be reported to Fraud Hotline?

We encourage you to report:

• Suspected theft or misuse of County property or cash.


• Forgery or alteration of checks, receipts, or bank statements.


• Submission of illegitimate vendor invoices for payment.


• Knowingly presenting a false claim for payment, for example, to the federal government or Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW).


• Falsification of expense reimbursements.


• False reporting or communicating of financial information.


• Conflict of interest — accepting anything of material value from vendors, consultants, or contractors doing business with the County.


• Spending in excess of what is reasonable and necessary.


• Computer related activity, destruction or manipulation of data or software.


• False reporting of timesheets to receive pay or other benefits for hours not worked. Benefits include use of vacation, personal, or sick time.


• Other suspected fraud, abuse, or waste.

3. How do I file a complaint?

The Centre County Controller's Office maintains a Fraud Hotline. Tips can be reported online, by telephone, and by mail.

4. What information should I provide?

• Name and title of the person(s) suspected of committing fraud, waste, or abuse.


• Area/department where suspected fraud is occurring.


• Date(s) and duration of occurrence(s).


• Detailed description of the fraud and how it was carried out.


• If applicable, approximate dollar amount involved.


• Name(s) of any other witnesses.


• Any related documentation.


• It is not required that you identify yourself. However, without a means to contact you with follow-up questions, the investigation could come to a dead end.

5. How are reports of fraud handled?

The County will fully investigate any suspected acts of fraud, abuse, or illegal acts. An objective and impartial investigation will be conducted regardless of the position, title, or relationship with the County of any party who might be involved. The County will maintain the confidentiality of any person who in good faith reports a suspected act of fraud. The person’s identity will not be divulged without permission, unless required by law. Upon notification of suspected fraud the Controller or the County Administrator will conduct an investigation, convene a compliance committee, and if necessary may contact the following:

• County’s Information Technology Services (ITS) Department for cases involving computer equipment or software
• County Solicitor
• Director of Human Resources
• Internal Auditor
• External auditors or fraud examiners
• Appropriate law enforcement agency

6. What is the policy concerning Employee Whistle-blower Protection?

No person acting on behalf of the County shall retaliate against anyone who in good faith reports suspected fraud, including:

• Dismiss or threaten to dismiss an employee; or


• Discipline, suspend, threaten to discipline or suspend an employee; or


• Impose a penalty upon an employee; or


• Intimidate or coerce an employee because the employee has acted in accordance with the requirements of the policy.

The violation of this section will result in discipline up to and including dismissal.