Preventing Fraud and Mismanagement in Government

Chapter 8Final Thoughts

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives them.”

—James Madison

Topics:

• Final thoughts, tools, and techniques that will assist in developing sound systems and structures within the public entity, and that identify the potential fraud risk and mismanagement that may exist.

Key Questions:

• How can government be made more accountable?
• Why does knowledge create transparency?
• How do we develop lists or other potential warning signs of fraud and mismanagement?
• What are the proper levels of oversight and professional skepticism needed to monitor the trusted person where the value is exposed for manipulations?

HOW CAN PEOPLE MOVE FORWARD to make their agencies and government more functional and just? This chapter draws together the information from prior chapters to assist in the development of a synthesis of practice that can guide agencies, staff, and government officials in rooting out corruption and isolating problematic practices. It all starts with gathering the right facts and having informed checks and balances with the proper levels of skill and skepticism.

People have perspectives. Ask this question: Are the expectations and perspectives of the potential fraudster aligned with those of the organization?

People are classified within an organization by occupation (title). Ask this question: Is the potential fraudster in the right occupation ...