At the direction of Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street Monday announced that he is monitoring the state's emergency expenditures related to the Gulf oil spill response. At the direction of Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street announced Monday that he has designated a member of his staff to monitor the state's emergency expenditures related to the Gulf oil spill response. To ensure a rapid state response to the spill, Jindal issued an executive order relaxing the state's rules that normally govern state purchasing. The May 6 order includes a mandate that the IG monitor transactions conducted under the emergency rules to ensure they are directly related to the spill and handled properly.
"Our mission under law is to root out fraud, corruption and abuse in state government, and that will be our main focus in complying with the governor's directive," Street says. "We recognize that state agencies must have the flexibility to make decisions and respond quickly in an emergency situation. At the same time, anyone who tries to take advantage of this emergency for personal gain will be right in our crosshairs."
Street has already reached out to all state agencies to facilitate communication between them and his office in this effort. Many state agencies have been actively responding to the oil spill for several weeks.
Any citizen with reason to suspect fraud, corruption or abuse in connection with the oil spill is encouraged to call the IG's toll free hotline at 1-866-801-2549 or e-mail a complaint here.
Obtain more information on the oil spill here.