SECTION 330:50-39-2. Criteria for investigation of suspected abuse and fraud

(a)   Under no circumstances will OHFA undertake an inquiry or an audit of a participating family arbitrarily. OHFA's expectation is that participating families will comply with HUD requirements, provisions of the Certificate or Voucher, and other program rules. OHFA staff will make every effort (formally and informally) to orient and educate all families in order to avoid unintentional violations. However, OHFA has a responsibility to HUD, to the Community, and to eligible families in need of housing assistance, to monitor participants and owners for compliance and, when indicators of possible abuse come to OHFA's attention, to investigate such claims.

(b)   OHFA will initiate an investigation of a participating family only in the event of one or more of the following circumstances:

(1)   Referrals, Complaints, or Tips. OHFA will follow up on referrals from other agencies, companies or persons which are received by mail, by telephone or in person, which allege that a family is in non-compliance with, or otherwise violating the family obligations or any other program rules. Such follow-up will be made providing that the referral contains at least one item of information that is independently verifiable. A copy of the allegation will be retained in the family's file.

(2)   Internal File Review. A follow-up will be made if OHFA staff discovers (as a function of a certification or recertification, an interim redetermination, or a quality control review), information or facts which conflict with previous file data, OHFA's knowledge of the family, or is discrepant with statements made by the family.

(3)   Verification of Documentation. A follow-up will be made if OHFA receives independent verification or documentation which conflicts with representations in the family's file (such as public record information or credit bureau reports, or reports from other agencies).

[Source: Added at 16 Ok Reg 2905, eff 7-12-99]