Our objective is to provide Stafford County Public School employees and the general public a confidential means for reporting suspected wrongdoing involving fraud, waste and abuse of school assets and resources.  Violations include, but are not limited, to the following types of activity:

• theft or misuse of school funds or property;
   
• falsification of records (i.e. personnel records, time and attendance or any other SCPS report or record);
   
• serious abuse of SCPS time such as unauthorized time away from work, falsification of work hours reported, or excessive use of county time for personal business;
   
• neglect of duties or responsibilities, non compliance with SCPS policies and regulations.

How to report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Complaints/Suspicions?

If you are unsure how to proceed with a concern, you may contact the Department of Financial Services during normal business hours at 540-658-6000 for guidance prior to calling the Hotline or completing the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Form.

• In person:  The Department of Financial Services is located in the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex located at 31 Stafford Avenue, Stafford, Virginia  22554.  Regular operating hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
   
• Hotline phone:  540-658-6398, Department of Financial Services.  [The Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline at 540-658-6398, may be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Callers may remain anonymous.  This is a voicemail box only.] 
   
• By Email:  SCPSFraud@staffordschools.net email is not anonymous.

When to report fraud?

Anytime you reasonably suspect misconduct.  It is never too late to report fraud.


Who to report fraud to?

Department of Financial Services Primary Concact:

Chris R. Fulmer, CPA, CFE, Director of Finance & Accounting


What will happen after you report?

The Department of Financial Services takes all complaints and reports seriously.  We will make every effort to properly investigate the reports.  You can assist us in our investigation by providing as much information and details as possible.

You are encouraged to leave your contact information to enable the Department of Financial Services to gather or clarify information as needed.  If you choose to remain anonymous, insure that you provide thorough and detailed information to enable a review of your complaint.


What is fraud, waste, and abuse?

Stafford County Public Schools defines fraud, waste, and abuse as: 

• Fraud: An intentional deception perpetrated by an individual (or individuals) or an organization (or organizations), either internal or external to the division, resulting in a tangible or intangible benefit to the individual(s) or organization(s) that causes detriment to others and/or the division. Fraud includes the false representation of a matter of fact, whether by words or conduct, by false or misleading statements, or by concealment of facts that should be disclosed, which deceives and is intended to deceive.
   
• Waste: The intentional or unintentional, thoughtless or careless, unauthorized expenditure, consumption, mismanagement, use, or squandering of assets and/or resources owned or operated by the division to the detriment or potential detriment of the division. Waste also includes committing or incurring the expenditure of unnecessary costs due to the inefficient and/or ineffective design and application of financial and operating processes, automated and computerized systems, and/or internal controls.
   
• Abuse: The excessive or improper use of assets and/or resources owned or operated by the division; the employment of assets and/or resources owned or operated by the division in a manner contrary to the natural or legal rules for its use; the intentional destruction, diversion, manipulation, misapplication, maltreatment, or misuse of assets and/or resources owned or operated by the division; or the extravagant or excessive use of assets and/or resources owned or operated by the division so as to abuse either one’s position with the division or one’s authority and/or related oversight responsibility within the division.

School Board Policy 5109  and Regulations 5109R for Reporting, Investigating, and Prosecuting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse or Other Irregularities