Pandemic Funding Oversight Quarter 2 Report, 2026
This report details the OIG's Pandemic Funding Oversight work in investigations, guidance and training in the second quarter of 2026.
Read the ReportAn Analysis of Indigent Defense in Massachusetts
Section 82 of Chapter 14 of the Acts of 2025 (Section 82), directed the OIG to review the indigent defense system in Massachusetts, including existing practices, rules and
requirements related to determining indigency, billing by and oversight of private “bar advocates,” attorney caseloads, and best practices from other jurisdictions to provide adequate and cost-effective representation of indigent defendants.
Final Report on Sheriffs’ Budgets and Expenditures
In a report mandated by the Legislature, the OIG found that the sheriffs’ budget process is chaotic with chronic underfunding and illegal overspending. Poor fiscal practices, increased mandated costs coupled with lost commission revenues, and an inconsistent understanding of the role of the sheriff have all contributed to the chaos.
Read the ReportOIG 2025 Annual Report
In 2025, the OIG issued 23 public investigatory reports and letters that have been effective in calling out conduct that, while not necessarily criminal, is wasteful or constitutes an abuse of public resources. In addition, IG Shapiro met with 60 municipal leaders and the office fielded over 2000 hotline complaints and responded to over 1100 procurement support requests.
Read the ReportFormer CEO of Worcester Regional Retirement System Abused Public Funds
The OIG investigation found that, despite verbal assurances to the contrary, the former CEO of the Worcester Regional Retirement System (WRRS) continued to operate and in fact grew his private law practice while serving as the full-time CEO of the WRRS.
Read the ReportMassHealth and Health Safety Net 2026 Annual Report
During the past year, the OIG has been working on three reviews pursuant to Section 127 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025. The three reviews cover different areas in health safety net spending: supplemental funding; fee-for-service program administered by a third-party; and utilization review based on a specific diagnosis code for MassHealth members.
Read the ReportSpecial Education Transportation Study
The OIG reviewed the Commonwealth’s special education transportation services, pursuant to Section 2A of Chapter 7 of the Acts of 2025. Specifically, the OIG was tasked with reviewing how districts procure special education transportation services, which have been increasing in cost, and recommending ways to reduce costs, maximize purchasing power, act transparently and efficiently, and explore opportunities for regionalization.
Read the ReportPandemic Funding Oversight Quarter 4 Report, 2025
This report details the OIG's Pandemic Funding Oversight work in investigations, guidance and training in Quarter 4 of 2025.
Read the ReportPandemic Funding Oversight Quarter 4 Report, 2024
In 2024, Quarter 4, the OIG continued to deliver training and guidance to help Massachusetts public entities properly manage the large influx of federal awards that often accompanies emergencies.
Read the ReportThe Steamship Authority’s Website Development Project
An OIG investigation into a website development project by the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority (SSA) found that the project was ill-conceived, poorly executed, and a waste of public funds. The investigation also found that the project’s breakdown was rooted in the failure of the SSA general manager and the SSA Board of Governors (Board) to fully and properly exercise their respective duties and responsibilities.
Read the ReportPandemic Funding Oversight Quarter 3 Report, 2025
The Pandemic Funding Oversight 2025 Q3 report details the OIG's continued efforts to deliver training and guidance to help Massachusetts public entities properly manage the large influx of federal awards that often accompanies emergencies.
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