Call ethics hotline to report potential abuse

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 9, 2007

COUNTYWIDE

The Hernando County Commission and Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court Karen Nicolai have started Hernando County Government's Ethics Hotline.

The hotline is specifically designed to combat potential fraud, waste or abuse in county government. The hotline has a toll-free phone and fax number, coupled with an e-mail address that provides county employees, vendors, third-party service providers and Hernando County residents the ability to report concerns or suspicions anonymously.

Reports are forwarded by an independent hotline facilitator to a group composed of the county administrator, Hernando County sheriff, and audit services director, who review the allegation.

If any member of the response group is specifically named in an allegation, that member will not receive notice of the allegation.

Acts that can be reported include, but are not limited to, theft or misappropriation of county resources, falsification of official documents or reports, corruption or official misconduct, including county buildings, vehicles, equipment or supplies; conducting personal business on county time, improper use or spending of county dollars, violations of procurement policies or contract fraud, tampering with government records, illegal acts such as theft, fraud, kickbacks, conflict of interest or price fixing by county employees and its contracts; or gross misconduct, incompetence or inefficiency by county employees.

The hotline can be reached by calling toll-free 1-866-842-1345, by faxing toll-free to 1-800-748-6159, e-mailing to reportline@tnwinc.com or visit the Web site at www.tnwinc.com/webreport.

Women of ARC start group for friendship

The Arc Nature Coast Community Caf Community Access For Everyone has created a women's group, the Women for Friendship and Fun.

The group is made up of members of the Caf program who are interested in participating in activities in the community designed just for women. Some of the activities they have participated in include "chick-flicks", makeup, manicure/pedicure and hair classes, luncheons, exercise and nutrition.

The group is looking for additional activity ideas as well as sponsors for T-shirts.

The cost for the T-shirts is $150; the sponsor can have their logo printed on the sleeves of these shirts and receive a shirt for themselves.

For information, call Nancy Stubbs at 544-2322, ext. 109.

[Last modified November 8, 2007, 20:54:26]