Latest news with #InspectorGeneral'sOffice
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Chicago law aimed at tracking gun offenders isn't being enforced, watchdog says
The Brief The City of Chicago's Inspector General said a law aimed at helping police track gun offenders isn't being enforced. The ordinance requires anyone convicted of a gun-related crime to register after they're released from custody or sentenced. CHICAGO - The City of Chicago's Inspector General's Office said a law meant to help police track gun offenders is not being enforced. What we know The agency released a new report that found the current gun offender registration ordinance is unreliable and incomplete. The ordinance requires anyone convicted of a gun-related charge to register five days after their release from custody or sentencing. What they're saying Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said the registry is not being used correctly. "The registry, as it exists right now, is incomplete, out of date. It doesn't include everyone it should. It includes some people who should have rolled off. It is not being updated regularly, it's not being used regularly by officers," she said. The other side The report does acknowledge that the police department has increased staffing in the registration department, but added that more needs to be done to get this right. In a response to the report, the Chicago Police Department said it's "undertaking a comprehensive review of all public-facing information about the registry to ensure that it is consistent and accurate across all platforms. Second, the CPD is reviewing and updating its directives and forms. Third, the CPD is leveraging technology to assist with implementing the Gun Offender Registry ordinance by implementing the Offenderwatch software system, which is already in use by other police departments around the country. Finally, as suggested in the Draft Report, the CPD is wiling to coordinate with the Mayor's Office and City Council to review the Gun Offender Registry Ordinance to evaluate the ways in which it can be strengthened to work better for both registrants and the CPD." You can read the full report here.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Prison drug smuggling ring busted, state corrections officials say
A photo taken at 3 a.m. on March 29, 2024, shows interior lights in the South Dakota State Penitentiary's East Hall. The lights stayed on after a night of unrest. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) Following a protest in response to a string of violence and deaths at state prisons and amid continuing talks about potential prison construction, South Dakota officials say they've busted a ring of drug smuggling in prison facilities and imposed a non-contact visit policy. No drug charges have been filed, according to a Thursday news release from the state Department of Corrections, which said an investigation is ongoing involving its Inspector General's Office, the state Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. postmaster general. 'If the results of the investigation warrant prosecution, criminal charges will be sought,' the news release said. 'We will continue to counter every attempt to introduce dangerous contraband into our facilities.' 10 injured in prison violence days after protests over security and inmate treatment The news release said three methods of drug delivery into prisons were identified and stopped: Through the use of counterfeit packages imitating well-known manufacturers with drugs sent in through the packages. Through false use of the privileged mail system, such as counterfeit legal mail. And through the actions of visitors, including family members and friends, bringing drugs into the prison during visitation. The press release went on to say that three inmate deaths — one in February and two this month — were linked to drug overdoses on the penitentiary campus in Sioux Falls. The Department of Corrections has also imposed non-contact visits for family and friends of inmates 'in certain facilities,' the press release said. It also said 'non-contact visits may be expanded to other prison facilities' and 'additional policy changes are also under review.' 'We wanted to ensure that the public is aware of the work that has been done in these cases. We are taking action to keep staff and inmates safe,' said a quote in the news release from Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko. The drug investigation is occurring against the backdrop of activism against prison conditions and inmate treatment, including a protest Friday by about 50 people. Meanwhile, the state's Project Prison Reset task force is considering plans to construct new prison facilities. The group's next meeting is Tuesday in Pierre. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Prison drug smuggling ring busted, state corrections officials say
A photo taken at 3 a.m. on March 29, 2024, shows interior lights in the South Dakota State Penitentiary's East Hall. The lights stayed on after a night of unrest. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) Following a protest in response to a string of violence and deaths at state prisons and amid continuing talks about potential prison construction, South Dakota officials say they've busted a ring of drug smuggling in prison facilities and imposed a non-contact visit policy. No drug charges have been filed, according to a Thursday news release from the state Department of Corrections, which said an investigation is ongoing involving its Inspector General's Office, the state Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. postmaster general. 'If the results of the investigation warrant prosecution, criminal charges will be sought,' the news release said. 'We will continue to counter every attempt to introduce dangerous contraband into our facilities.' 10 injured in prison violence days after protests over security and inmate treatment The news release said three methods of drug delivery into prisons were identified and stopped: Through the use of counterfeit packages imitating well-known manufacturers with drugs sent in through the packages. Through false use of the privileged mail system, such as counterfeit legal mail. And through the actions of visitors, including family members and friends, bringing drugs into the prison during visitation. The press release went on to say that three inmate deaths — one in February and two this month — were linked to drug overdoses on the penitentiary campus in Sioux Falls. The Department of Corrections has also imposed non-contact visits for family and friends of inmates 'in certain facilities,' the press release said. It also said 'non-contact visits may be expanded to other prison facilities' and 'additional policy changes are also under review.' 'We wanted to ensure that the public is aware of the work that has been done in these cases. We are taking action to keep staff and inmates safe,' said a quote in the news release from Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko. The drug investigation is occurring against the backdrop of activism against prison conditions and inmate treatment, including a protest Friday by about 50 people. Meanwhile, the state's Project Prison Reset task force is considering plans to construct new prison facilities. The group's next meeting is Tuesday in Pierre. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SLED, Inspector General investigating state Treasurer's Office
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) — State Treasurer Curtis Loftis' office is under investigation by the state Inspector General's Office and South Carolina Law Enforcement a statement from the Treasurer Loftis, he said that he met with Inspector General Brian Lamkin and SLED Director Mark Keel after a Senate Finance Subcommittee hearing on March 27. Both Lamkin and Keel told Loftis they planned to investigate the State Treasurer's Office after a $1.8 billion accounting mistake was made, the statement said. 'I welcome this review and the opportunity to evaluate our actions independently,' a statement from Loftis reads. 'Claims that the Treasurer's Office participated in a deliberate effort to mislead the legislature are entirely without merit.' The problems started as the state changed computer systems in the 2010s. When the process was finished, workers couldn't figure out why the books were more than $1 billion out of whack. A fund was created to cover the accounting error and over the years more was added on paper to keep the state's books balanced. 'Despite claims by Senator Grooms, our office has fully cooperated with all state agency partners and independent audit firms since this matter surfaced, stemming from the former Comptroller General's $3.5 billion restatement in the 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,' Loftis said. Loftis first took office in 2010, and is currently serving his fourth term as the 'state's banker.' Despite past plans to retire after his fourth term, Loftis announced plans to run for reelection in 2026. 'Once the investigation concludes, I am confident the findings will reflect my office's integrity and diligence throughout this matter,' Loftis said. One of his arguments to stay in office was it wasn't fair to overturn the results of an election. Earlier this week, the Republican-dominated House has decided not to take up a resolution passed by the Senate to kick Loftis out of office because of his role in a phantom $1.8 billion account and the failure to report it to lawmakers for years. House Speaker Murrell Smith said there just isn't enough time to take it up before the session ends May 8. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Social Security Inspector General Under Pressure Over Cuts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A group of Democrats has requested the Social Security Administration (SSA) watchdog investigate the agency over a myriad of cuts and changes that have taken place since President Donald Trump took office. Newsweek has contacted the SSA and the Inspector General's Office for comment via email outside of regular working hours. Why It Matters The SSA, which administers vital benefits to some 70 million Americans every month, has undergone a slew of changes under the Trump administration. The reforms, which include job cuts and office closures, have been mandated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). What To Know In the letter to Social Security Inspector General Michelle L. Anderson, Senate Democrats have asked for a review on how recent reforms, including cuts and office closures, made under the Trump administration are affecting services and potentially disrupting payment of benefits. The Inspector General's Office acts as a watchdog for the federal agency and provides reports on its running and finances on a regular basis. In the letter, the group, which includes Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senators Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts and Ron Wyden from Oregon, asked for the inspector general to review the SSA's decision to embark on an "organizational structure, close numerous offices, and significantly reduce its workforce to determine whether it has affected the agency's ability to provide quality customer service." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren at a news conference on Senate Republican's Budget Resolution legislation at the Capitol on April 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren at a news conference on Senate Republican's Budget Resolution legislation at the Capitol on April 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. Anna Moneymaker/GETTY Since February, when DOGE began looking into the agency as part of its efforts to slash government spending, the SSA has announced it intends to cut its workforce from 57,000 to 50,000, as well as shutter internal departments and close regional offices. "These actions have already created a chilling effect among the agency's workforce, with several senior SSA officials with centuries' worth of institutional knowledge and experience having already left the agency," the letter reads. "We are concerned that this hostile environment will foster burnout, low morale, higher attrition, and worse productivity among employees." The letter also asks the watchdog whether it has conducted any analyses on how the changes could impact beneficiaries, and requests it provide "quarterly updates of the impact of the agency reorganization and any future workforce reductions has had on customer service." In a February 19 statement, acting Commissioner Leland Dudek affirmed his commitment to being accountable to the inspector general. "Transparency begins with me: My first call as Acting Commissioner was to our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to provide them an opportunity to oversee and review any and all agency activities, including my actions past, present, and future," he said upon his appointment. "I trust in the People to be informed, and I am making available my agency personnel and performance files to the OIG." What People Are Saying Democrats wrote in the letter: "In just the last month, SSA has rapidly shuttered offices, slashed thousands of its employees, and abruptly changed (and then reversed) long-standing customer service practices, with little transparency or consideration on its impact to its customers." Dudek, in his February 19 statement: "Good government means finding ways to do better: The Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, is a critical part of President Trump's commitment to identifying fraud, waste, and abuse, and better ways for the government to function to support its people." What's Next The SSA has not yet publicly responded to the Senate Democrats' letter.
