The City receives hundreds of complaints yearly about staff on its Fraud and Waste Hotline.
Nine City of Toronto employees were disciplined and action taken against 23 affiliated vendors last year for ripping off taxpayers.
Almost 700 complaints were received from the public last year citing 1,050 allegations of wrongdoing by City staff or its vendors in a Fraud and Waste Hotline.
The complaints were investigated by a forensic team of the Toronto Auditor General’s Office to determine if credible. More than 120 complaints led to further investigation by the City’s agencies and divisions.
The City saves millions of dollars by investigating fraud and waste by employees or its vendors.
Some 17 of 32 investigations were substantiated in whole or in part. Most of the allegations were left as tips on the hotline anonymously.
The probes led to nine City employees being disciplined, 23 cases in which action were taken against vendors, employees or members of the public who were part of a scheme.
The study said there are about 1,250 allegations filed yearly to City officials and the program has saved the City $2 million in losses and $1.1 million in potential losses from 2020 to 2024, during which more than 14,500 complaints were filed by City staff and residents.
It said the report helps reduce waste and deters wrongdoing and abuse by City staff, detects emerging trends, strengthens guidelines and keeps workers honest.
Some 19 City employees and 52 vendors have been disciplined in four years for various wrongdoings.
Since the program launch in 2020 some 19 City employees have been disciplined and actions have been taken against 52 City employees, vendors or members of the public.
The disciplinary action against employees can include suspension to dismissal if the allegation against them is substantiated.
The complaints include fraud by employees or vendors, theft or waste of City assets or subsidies, breaching public trust of conflict of interest provisions.
All City employees who are aware that wrongdoing has occurred are required to notify their manager, their Division Head, or the Auditor General’s Office;
If you suspect a fraud or other wrongdoing by City employees or vendors you can e-mail your complaint to AuditorGeneral@toronto.ca or visit torontoauditor.ca.