City tipline flooded with calls, e-mail

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A new city of Albuquerque program designed both to expose corruption and save money has been flooded with tips since it was launched three weeks ago.

The purpose of ESA--Efficiency, Stewardship and Accountability program--is for city workers and vendors to call or e-mail in allegations of fraud, misconduct or waste plus ideas to help the city save money.

Since it started in early August, 76 tips have come in from the ESA hotline and ESA e-mail.

"This is meant to be a very positive thing for us to listen to our employees, listen to their good ideas, and for us to work together with our employees to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars for the general public," Mayor Richard J. Berry said in an interview Tuesday.

The city's Office of Internal Audit and Investigations handles the corruption claims. Director Carmen Kavelman said some of the tips have been about employees doing inappropriate things during work hours, such as running a side business or doing personal errands, taking city property or using their city positions for personal advantage.

A big concern for the department now is staffing as tips are on the rise, but employee numbers have dwindled since 2006. Kavelman hopes to eventually add another four employees.

"We're struggling. We're struggling, and I want to make sure we can maintain our present level of response to these tips," Kavelman said. "We don't want people to stop calling because we can't address them."

Berry said he is working with Kavelman's department to find ways to increase resources. He plans to take the matter before city councilors in the next few weeks. Both Berry and Kavelman believe the calls will taper off as time goes by.

If an employee submits an idea that the city eventually puts into use for saving money, that person is eligible for an efficiency bonus.

Two months ago, a tipster helped uncover an alleged kickback scheme that involved two auto parts buyers for the city's vehicle maintenance fleet. The suspected scheme went on for several years and led to criminal charges, according to police.