Few issues raise more concern or demand closer scrutiny than fraud in public spending. The political, and even criminal, implications of the misuse of tax dollars dictate that any investigation in this area must be conducted with skill and discretion. Understanding the intricacies of awarding public contracts, evaluating whether environmental regulations have been properly followed, and determining the accuracy of contractors’ invoices are just some of the complexities that investigators must navigate. Given the public policy implications of these inquiries, investigators must craft reports that fully capture the facts while anticipating that their written product may become part of the public record.

PII has investigated allegations of bid-rigging and bribery, fraud in contractors’ billings, favoritism and corruption in fire and building inspections, and violations of health and safety codes in public schools. The firm has presented its findings at closed sessions of elected boards and commissions, as well as at public hearings. In some cases, PII has helped municipalities recoup millions of public dollars and prevent future fraud.

Fleishman-Hillard, a national leader in the public relations field, had a long-standing contact with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP), when a former Fleishman Hillard employee alleged that the PR firm was submitting fraudulent invoices to DWP. Litigation ensued, and PII was retained to assist DWP’s in-house counsel. During the investigation, PII interviewed dozens of former Fleishman-Hillard employees, reviewed thousands of pages of documents, and found further evidence of wrongdoing. In the end, DWP recouped nearly $6 million in a pre-trial settlement and one of Fleishman Hillard’s principal managers was indicted and eventually convicted. Read more about it here