Bill Cummings, KIFI-TV (Idaho Falls, ID) Journalist Profile

Articles

Connecticut comptroller faulted for filing report 500 days late

1 week ago | darientimes.com | Bill Cummings

The Office of the State Comptroller, under prior leadership, was more than 500 days late filing a biennial report with the General Assembly and left out key details of inventory software reports, state auditors said in a new report. “Intended recipients of the reports may not have current information to make informed decisions,” said the report, which covered the fiscal years from 2020 to 2022.
CT comptroller failed to verify millions paid for health claims, audit says

Jan 10, 2025 | middletownpress.com | Bill Cummings

Six instances in which the combined total paid was $24,378 greater than the benefit amount per the Schedule of Basic Life Insurance. Seven instances in which the combined total paid was $175,846 less than the benefit amount per the Schedule of Basic Life Insurance. One instance in which member information could not be found and the police could not be reviewed. Nine instances in which it took 137 to 869 days from the retiree’s death to pay the beneficiary.
CT comptroller failed to verify millions paid for health claims, audit says

Jan 10, 2025 | registercitizen.com | Bill Cummings

The Connecticut state Capitol, in Hartford. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut MediaA division of the Connecticut Comptroller’s office failed to verify millions of dollars in refunds for health care claims and overpaid some life insurance policies, a new state audit found. The Office of the State Comptroller’s Healthcare Policy and Benefit Services Division was faulted for a lack of oversight, not providing back up documentation and failing to review payouts.
How CT State Police troopers falsified traffic stop data

Dec 6, 2024 | ctinsider.com | Joshua Eaton |Bill Cummings

After more than two years of investigations, the Connecticut State Police have found two troopers intentionally falsified traffic ticket data to appear more productive, according to Internal Affairs reports. A third falsified data used to spot potential racial bias, one report shows. Several years ago, the state police investigators also found four troopers had falsified ticket data in 2018.
Audit: CT higher ed office paid bills, collected fees improperly

Dec 5, 2024 | ctinsider.com | Bill Cummings

The state Office of Higher Education failed to properly pay bills, track employee telecommuting and collect required private school fees, a recent state audit found. “OHE did not have sufficient internal controls to ensure that it completed and approved all purchase orders prior to ordering goods and services,” auditors said of the agency's payment practices. The audit covered the fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
CT voters approve ballot question to allow no-excuse absentee voting

Nov 5, 2024 | ncadvertiser.com | Bill Cummings

Jay Austin gives out stickers to voters at the Danbury High School polling station. Photo taken on Nov. 5, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. Bryan Haeffele/Hearst Connecticut MediaA Connecticut absentee ballot drop box outside the Government Center in Stamford in 2020. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut MediaConnecticut voters on Tuesday moved a stepped closer toward joining 27 other states which allow no-excuse absentee voting during elections.
UConn Health hospital merger suggested in new report

Jun 2, 2024 | ctinsider.com | Bill Cummings

A new report offers varying options to stem ongoing deficits at UConn Health, including merging its Farmington hospital with another health care group. The report by Cain Brothers, a health care banking and consulting company, paints a bleak financial future for the John Dempsey Hospital and related medical school, noting clinical operations generated losses averaging $140 million annually over the last four years.
Charter Oak College failed to seek bids and update disaster

Mar 5, 2024 | ctinsider.com | Bill Cummings

The state-owned Charter Oak College failed to pay expenses in a timely manner, update its disaster plan and follow requirements to seek bids for at least one purchase, a recent state audit found. “The college’s failure to explain the reasons for non-competitive purchases increases the risk that it may not obtain goods and services at the lowest price,” auditors said, referring to shortcomings around the bidding process.
State Treasurer didn't follow unclaimed property; ethics rules

Mar 4, 2024 | theridgefieldpress.com | Bill Cummings

The Office of the Treasurer, under a previous administration, failed to properly dispose of unused state property, follow ethics disclosure rules and correctly handle unclaimed property, a new state audit found. State auditors in their 15-page report called on the office to "improve internal controls." The treasurer's office largely agreed in written responses included with the report, and said changes have been made to address the problems.
Probe found scant evidence CT officers actually worked DUI shifts

Feb 20, 2024 | ctinsider.com | Bill Cummings |Joshua Eaton

Deep River Town HallJournal Register Co.Under the supervision of a Connecticut State Police resident trooper, the two constables were tasked with keeping dangerous drunken drivers off the road. But when authorities reviewed three years of records from 2016 through 2018 to see what the duo had done, there was little evidence they had worked at all on these federally-funded overtime shifts, according to a 2022 memorandum from the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.