Comptroller finds fault with TBI's fiscal procedures

The Tennessee Comptroller's Office has released a special report examining several aspects of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's fiscal operations, including an analysis of TBI's budget, the procurement of its Pilatus airplane, staffing, and grants and contracts.

The special report was initiated after Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson) called for an examination of TBI's budgeting and accounting practices. The General Assembly included language within the 2017 Appropriations Act requiring the review to be complete by January 31, 2018.

The Comptroller's Office found TBI's expenditures have exceeded its budgeted estimates since 2014, and TBI has relied on its various reserve funds for its continued operations. These accounts have been greatly diminished as TBI has used these funds. The Comptroller's Office concluded that TBI and the Department of Finance and Administration should commit to improve communication during the budget process.

The review also includes an examination of the procurement of TBI's Pilatus Airplane. The Comptroller's Office found that, although policies were followed, the procurement could have been more cost-effective.

Additionally, the Comptroller's Office researched the history of TBI and performed an analysis of TBI's independence. TBI is an operationally independent cabinet-level agency that does not clearly belong to a single branch of government. TBI's unique role in state government requires a balance between independence and accountability.

Comptroller Justin P. Wilson will present the results of the TBI Special Report to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee on January 16, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

The Comptroller's Office has also released TBI's performance audit report which found TBI's policies surrounding the use of its aircraft were not sufficient, a failure to collect all sex offender registration fees, and the Drug Offender Registry was not always accurate or up to date.

To view the TBI Special Report online, click here.

To view the TBI Performance Audit Report online, click here.

If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller's toll-free hotline at (800) 232-5454, or file a report online at: www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline. Follow us on twitter: @TNCOT