- Auditor says state agencies had millions in ‘questioned’ spending of federal funds (Nebraska Examiner, 3/31/2023)
- A state audit in Nebraska questions the proper spending of millions of dollars in pandemic-related federal funds by state agencies, potentially requiring the state to repay those funds. The audit highlights “questioned costs,” including $12 million in personnel costs at the Nebraska Department of Corrections and $3.6 million in excessive administration costs for a federal rent- and utility-assistance grant administered by the Nebraska Military Department. While at least two state agencies disagree with the audit findings, the report will be forwarded to federal agencies to determine potential repercussions such as repayment or reduced future federal funds.
- Norfolk Public Schools associate superintendent resigns, allegedly falsified documents to obtain federal funding (KETV, 8/3/2023)
- The associate superintendent for Norfolk Public Schools in Nebraska, Bill Robinson, resigned after allegedly falsifying documents in an attempt to obtain $5,000 in funding reimbursement from a federal grant program for expenses covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Nebraska State Auditor’s office discovered the falsification, and the Department of Education rejected the request as it was submitted late. Robinson submitted new documentation that appeared altered, prompting a criminal investigation, and the district has initiated an internal investigation and is implementing additional safeguards to protect taxpayer funds.
- State will investigate after 911 outages in multiple Nebraska counties (KLKNTV, 9/5/2023)
- The Public Service Commission launched an investigation into a 911 outages that occurred in multiple counties. The outages were caused by a fiber-optic cable being cut and a fire at a communications center. Lawmakers are raising concerns about the backup plans in place and are calling for a legislative investigation.
- Nebraska Legislature hires outside lawyer to advise about work of inspectors general (Nebraska Examiner, 9/11/2023)
- The Nebraska Legislature has hired an external lawyer to assist in finding a legislative solution following the state attorney general’s opinion that limited legislative oversight of child welfare and prison systems. Speaker John Arch and State Sen. Tom Briese confirmed the hiring, expressing concerns about the impact of the attorney general’s opinion on the Legislature’s ability to conduct meaningful oversight. The lawyer will help lawmakers address the constitutional issues and establish a fair approach to overseeing child welfare, prisons, and juvenile probation while respecting the attorney general’s concerns about separation of powers.
- Nebraska child welfare, prison watchdogs have temporarily restored access for oversight roles (Nebraska Examiner, 2/14/2024)
- The six-month dispute between Nebraska’s legislative and executive branches over inspector general access saw a temporary resolution as the Legislature signed a memorandum of understanding with Governor Jim Pillen. The agreement outlines the information the executive branch will provide to state inspectors general for corrections and child welfare, temporarily halting the conflict and avoiding potential lawsuits. The memorandum, set to expire at the end of the 2025 session, aims to provide a broader assessment of legislative oversight, with ongoing proposals including the creation of a special committee and amendments to statutes addressing concerns.
- Nebraska auditor: ‘Flagrant abuses,’ up to $1.5M in questionable billings suspected in DHHS program (Nebraska Examiner, 2/28/2024)
- The Nebraska State Auditor’s Office uncovered flagrant abuses and suspected fraud in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid-funded personal assistance services program, potentially resulting in up to $1.5 million in annual financial loss. The audit revealed multiple instances of providers billing for improbable hours, including work during vacations, conflicting with other employment, and providing services for family members, which is prohibited by federal regulations. State Auditor Mike Foley emphasized the urgent need to overhaul the program and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, with corrective actions identified to address deficiencies and improve tracking processes.
- Nebraska Labor Dept. appears afflicted with ‘Long COVID,’ state auditor says (Nebraska Examiner, 4/8/2024)
- The Nebraska Department of Labor faced issues handling unemployment insurance benefits, potentially putting $13 million at risk, according to a state audit. State Auditor Mike Foley noted deficiencies in the department’s response to the audit findings, expressing concern about the ongoing threat to public funds. Despite some improvements, Foley likened the department’s challenges to “Long COVID,” suggesting unresolved issues that need swift attention.
- NE audit of DHHS child care subsidy program exposes as much as $12.8M in improper payments (Nebraska Examiner, 7/9/2024)
- A recent audit of Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) child care subsidy program has revealed significant financial improprieties, with as much as $12.8 million in improper payments made to child care providers. The audit, which examined a nine-month period starting in July 2023, found that some providers exploited the state’s lax oversight of billings through the Nebraska Family Online Client User System (NFOCUS), leading to inflated and potentially fraudulent charges. Examples of improper billings included double and triple payments for the same child, billings on days when centers were closed, and payments for more days than were in a month. DHHS has acknowledged the findings and stated that it has begun processes to recover the questioned funds, with an investigation already underway for one provider. The agency has also emphasized its commitment to implementing effective controls to ensure proper allocation of taxpayer dollars, and it is working collaboratively with the State Auditor’s Office to address the issues.
- Improving oversight eyed as a ‘hallmark issue’ of 2025 legislative session (Nebraska Examiner, 12/16/2024)
- Nebraska lawmakers are prioritizing enhanced legislative oversight for the 2025 session, following disputes over the constitutionality of existing oversight offices. In August 2023, Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued an opinion questioning the legality of the Legislature’s inspectors general for child welfare and corrections, leading to restricted access for these offices. In response, the Legislature formed a special committee to review and potentially restructure its oversight functions, aiming to restore and strengthen its authority over state agencies.
