There are no less than 35 cases the place Connecticut Division of Correction workers probably misused a COVID-19 program that supplied staff with lodge rooms throughout the peak of the pandemic, together with a staffer who booked a room to attend a marriage, in keeping with persevering with state investigations.
To date, 14 of the 35 investigations have been closed, DOC confirmed Tuesday, and $40,787 has been returned to the state. DOC mentioned about $104,000 continues to be owed. All workers underneath investigation had been allowed to reimburse the state. Some have confronted further self-discipline, together with a five-day suspension for a number of people.
“Because the investigation continues to be ongoing, and several other of the incidents have but to be resolved, understand that practically all these concerned have protections and protocols afforded to them by their collective bargaining agreements,” in keeping with an announcement from DOC. The Connecticut Mirror first reported investigations into the federally funded Non permanent Emergency Lodging Program by the DOC, the company that runs Connecticut’s prisons, and the state’s Auditors of Public Accounts.
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DOC mentioned 1,591 workers used this system, isolating in lodge rooms to maintain their family members secure throughout the peak of the pandemic. The company famous the 35 cases of doable misuse characterize 2.2% of the individuals who availed themselves of this system.
An investigation into Connecticut jail workers discovered that they misused a COVID-19 program that supplied staff with lodge rooms.
Paperwork supplied by the auditors present there have been circumstances the place staff used this system whereas on army go away, receiving staff’ compensation advantages and on household medical go away. A spreadsheet supplied by the auditors says it seems one worker “booked the lodge room to attend a marriage in 2 circumstances or the worker rented out the room to a good friend in one other case,” leading to a “recognized questionable value of $554.25,” which has since been recovered. One other particular person, the doc mentioned, used the lodge program after she had resigned.
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In some circumstances, staff had company with them within the rooms, regardless of this system’s intention to assist stop relations from contracting COVID-19. There was one case the place a workers member was smoking marijuana within the room and had her son together with her, in keeping with the spreadsheet. One other employee stayed in a lodge for six months along with his household and canine.
Data present the investigations additionally decided a number of the questionable fees had been attributable to billing errors made by the motels.
