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Mecklenburg County has launched a whistleblower hot line to let its employees report suspected fraud and illegal or unethical behavior within the county.
The effort has been in the works for well over a year after the county's external auditor recommended starting such a program, said Chris Waddell, of the county's internal audit department.
But the launch comes months after an investigation and audit found accounting lapses within the Department of Social Services, a probe that started in part after an employee contacted a supervisor about possible misappropriation within a charity program for foster children.
Waddell said the new hot line - which will allow employees to raise concerns anonymously by telephone or on the Web 24/7 - will help the county receive information from workers who may not feel comfortable going to management.
The county has contracted with The Network, a Georgia-based company that manages hot line reporting for clients across the world. The service will cost about $6,100 each year.
Any reports will be sent to the county's internal audit department, whose staffers will determine whether the complaint has merit. The department also will send updates to the commissioners' Audit Review Committee about the types of incidents reported, as well as the status and outcome of any investigation.
County Manager Harry Jones recently said it's possible information received through the hot line could lead to potential disciplinary action of an employee or, in some cases, require the county to contact law enforcement or other agencies for more follow-up.
