(Washington, DC) Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi announced today that he has referred to DC Inspector General Charles C. Maddox a case involving a former employee who served as the agency's general counsel from August to December for allegedly falsifying employment information. In addition, an internal investigation by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer is underway to determine whether the employee created any organizational exposure as a result of his work performance on behalf of the agency.

"It is critical to maintaining the public's confidence that every one of our employees reflects the highest ethical standards," said Gandhi. "The District government cannot tolerate this kind of behavior from any of its employees, especially those in executive level positions."

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer routinely conducts background reviews of all of its new employees. When the Office of the Chief Financial Officer finds derogatory information about an employee under background review, the employee is given an opportunity to explain the circumstances. In the case referred today, the former employee was undergoing a background investigation when he resigned.

"We instituted these background reviews a few years ago, and they have been effective in identifying people who do not meet our high standards of integrity," said Gandhi.

Gandhi also said his staff would review recruitment procedures to ensure that employees are legally liable for false statements on employment documents.