Skip to Main Content

News & Publications

Advisory • 5/11/2026

OIG In Your Inbox – Whistleblower Hotlines

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), most fraud is uncovered by tips from whistleblowers. The ACFE found that almost half of fraud tips come from within an organization, with roughly a third coming from outside sources. Organizations with fraud hotlines were nearly twice as likely to detect fraud than those without.

Read the Advisory

Advisory • 4/9/2026

OIG In Your Inbox: Multifactor Authentication

Cyberattacks against local governments are increasing. Such attacks often begin when a cybercriminal gains unauthorized access to systems and data by obtaining an employee’s password through methods such as phishing, malware, or automated guessing tools. An easy and effective way to prevent attacks against your municipality is to enable multifactor authentication (MFA).

Read the Advisory

Bulletin • 3/31/2026

OIG Bulletin, March 2026

This edition of the OIG Bulletin includes information on several OIG reports including the Special Education Transportation study, the preliminary report on Sheriffs’ spending, and the Steamship Authority’s website project. Also contains information on prevailing wage misconceptions and the benefits of the CM at-Risk delivery method.

Read the Bulletin

Letter • 3/27/2026

OIG Letter to the House Ways and Means Committee Re: House 5131, the Municipal Empowerment Act

IG Shapiro advocated for commonsense changes to the state’s procurement laws contained within House 5131.

Read the Letter

Advisory • 3/13/2026

OIG In Your Inbox – Should Your Municipality Appoint a CPO? Yes! 

Why should your municipality appoint a Chief Procurement Officer? CPOs have the knowledge and expertise to ensure that procurements comply with the law and follow best practices. They help avoid costly errors and mistakes.

Read the Advisory

Report • 3/11/2026

Former 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 Report

Press Release • 3/11/2026

OIG Finds Former Retirement Board CEO Abused Public Funds

The OIG found that a former CEO of the Worcester Regional Retirement System (WRRS) expanded his private law practice while being paid to work full-time for the retirement board.

Read the Press Release

Report • 2/23/2026

Special 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 Report

Advisory • 2/1/2026

OIG In Your Inbox – Be Proactive

Municipal leaders are often confronted with pressing needs and competing priorities, making it difficult to plan ahead. This advisory provides guidance on how to build proactive practices into daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual operational cycles.

Read the Advisory

Testimony • 1/14/2026

Redline Document with House 7 Bill’s Proposed Technical Corrections for Chapter 30B

This document provides technical corrections for House Bill 7, An Act Relative to Technical Corrections in Chapter 30B by updating references to other statutes that have been amended in the General Laws.

Read the Testimony

Advisory • 1/1/2026

OIG In Your Inbox – Contracting with Concessionaires 

When properly executed and managed, concession contracts can be an alternative non-tax revenue stream for a municipality with a value-added use of public land. The contracts also benefit your constituents. This advisory provides guidance on proper management of concession contracts.

Read the Advisory

Press Release • 12/3/2025

OIG Calls Brockton Public Schools $18 Million Budget Deficit a Critical Failure of Leadership

IG Shapiro calls on Brockton Public Schools to adopt “meaningful oversight” after review of FY23 Budget Deficit.

Read the Press Release

Sign Up for the OlG Bulletin