County Controller's Office

Mary E. Schaaf, County Controller

Telephone: (814) 451-6266
Fax: (814) 451-7470
TDD: (814) 451-6237
FRAUD, WASTE AND MISUSE HOTLINE: (814) 451-6369
Email: mschaaf@eriecountygov.org
Address:
Erie County Court House
140 West Sixth Street
Room 107
Erie, PA 16501
Hours: 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

As the County's top elected fiscal officer, Controller Schaaf is responsible to the taxpayers to protect their tax dollars from fraud, waste and misuse in County government. She leads the fight against inefficient and inequitable spending and is focused on making County government more transparent and accountable to the taxpayers. The Controller's Office maintains a continuous audit and prepares an annual post-audit of County revenues and accounts which is available below. Special internal audits are conducted as the Controller deems necessary or as requested by other elected officials. Reports of fraud, waste, or misuse of County funds or property may be made anonymously on the link below. The Controller will investigate all reports and take appropriate action to maintain the integrity of County monies.

The Controller's Office presides over all bid openings. The Controller serves as a voting member of the Erie County Retirement Board and is responsible for securities litigation for the Pension.

County Controller's Annual Audit Report



County Controller's Investigative Prison Report and Press Release

Retirement Board


FRAUD, WASTE AND MISUSE HOTLINE

The County of Erie Fraud, Waste and Misuse Hotline is operated by the Erie County Controller. The purpose of the hotline is to allow anyone to report in confidence information regarding any fraud, waste or other misuse of County of Erie assets. You do not have to leave your name when making a report. The Hotline number is 451-6369 and can be utilized 24 (twenty-four) hours a day, 7(seven) days per week. Alternatively, you can click here to submit a report online.

If you think you have knowledge of... YOU can help, because...
  • Suspected theft or misuse of County property or cash
  • False reporting of hours worked
  • Submission of illegitimate vendor invoices
  • Misrepresentation of expense reimbursements
  • Mismanagement of tax dollars
  • Fraudulent reporting of medical, disability or workers compensation claims
  • Spending in excess of what is reasonable and necessary
  • Violations of the County's purchasing policy
  • Other suspected fraud or abuse
  • Suspicious behavior — Fraud perpetrators often display behavioral traits that serve as indicators of possible illegal behavior. The most commonly cited behavioral red flag was "living beyond their apparent means".*
  • U.S. organizations lose an estimated 7% of their annual revenues to fraud.*
  • Governments are one of the most commonly victimized industries.*
  • Organizations with fraud hotlines significantly cut their losses due to fraud.*
  • Frauds are more likely to be detected by a tip than by other means.*
  • For those governments that maintain hotlines, losses were reduced by 17% and duration of fraud was reduced by 30%
  • Fraud and abuse are crimes everyone pays for!
  • Significant losses due to fraud could mean:
    • Increased Taxes
    • Decreased employee benefits
    • Tighter department budgets
    • Less services for citizens
  • It's your money. You can make a difference!
stamp out government waste stop fraud Your tip may result in a cost-saving audit or investigation, but only if you report it to us.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS!
(Although, if you identify yourself, it may assist in our investigation)


Here's how you can report it... Click here to submit a report online, or call 451-6369.
  • Gather as much of the following information as possible:
    • Area where the fraud is occuring
    • Person or persons involved
    • Nature of the fraud/abuse — lying, cheating, stealing, etc.
    • Date and/or duration of occurences
    • Approximate dollar amount/value involved
    • Any other witnesses
*Source: Association of Certified Fraud Examiners' Report to the Nation