Secretary of State Auditors Recognized by U.S. Treasury for Innovative Work with Do Not Pay
SALEM, OR — The U.S. Treasury Department lauded Oregon as a leader and an example for other states in the success of using data matching to identify improper payments in public assistance programs.
On April 14, the U.S. Treasury hosted a virtual, national conference about the services provided by the Treasury’s Do Not Pay Business Center, known more generally as Do Not Pay. The service helps to identify, prevent, and recover improper payments in federally funded, state-administered programs.
The Oregon Audits Division was the first state audit organization in the nation to be granted access to Do Not Pay and successfully leveraged it in an innovative audit, released in February, which identified millions of dollars in savings, including $790,000 in potential improper payments.
During the conference, officials with the U.S. Treasury highlighted the work of Oregon auditors as a success story in using Do Not Pay. The department has already engaged with 13 other states to begin similar data matching efforts.
“I would like to thank you for your considerable contributions to the Do Not Pay Business Center’s mission to assist states administering federally funded programs with the identification and prevention of improper payments,” said Daniel Vavasour, Assistant Commissioner with the U.S. Treasury, in a letter to audit manager Ian Green. “Your efforts have brought other states to the table to address improper payments.”
“Once again, the hard work and innovation demonstrated by our Audits Division has represented Oregon well on the national stage,” said Secretary of State Bev Clarno. “The efforts pioneered by our auditors will now lead to positive impacts around the country.”