The Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience (“COR3”) will take precaution to maintain the reporter's anonymity when filing a report through any reporting channel available (i.e., COR3 Fraud, Waste, & Abuse webpage, toll free hotline phone number, Transparency Portal, etc.).
When you file a report, you will be given a report tracking number. You will need this number to follow-up on the report status or to receive an answer to your question. The COR3 Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline website, will allow you to obtain the following information (if available):
• Receive an update on the status of the case/report.
• Contribute any additional information related to the case/report details.
• Provide new information regarding any further actions by the parties involved.
• Attach additional supporting documentation related to your complaint.
Upon resolution of a complaint, the case information on COR3 Fraud, Waste, & Abuse Hotline website will be updated to indicate the status of the investigation to “closed”. If deemed appropriate, additional information may be provided related to the complaint resolution. Please note the content and the result of the investigation may be confidential, thus, COR3 reserves the right not to provide an update on the outcome of the complaint, beyond noting the case has been closed.
The COR3 Fraud, Waste, & Abuse Hotline may be used to submit an allegation. When you submit a complaint, you will be asked to provide information regarding the incident in the most detailed and accurate manner possible. Some information will be required, these fields are denoted by an asterisk (i.e., *). In order to carry out a proper analysis of the complaint, we advise that you please provide the following information as accurately as possible:
• Complete names of those involved.
• If applicable, provide the names of others with knowledge of the incidents (i.e., corroborating witnesses).
• Details of the time and place of the incident.
• Details explaining how the incident(s) occurred.
Submission of the complaint through any reporting channel will result in a notification being sent to COR3.
Upon receipt, COR3 will assess the information provided related to the complaint, gather additional information, perform an initial complaint analysis, and determine the appropriate next steps based on the nature of the claim and the information provided and gathered by COR3. COR3 (in consultation with external agencies, if needed) will determine the time expected for the resolution of the complaint. Timing will vary on a complaint by complaint basis and updates to the status of complaints will be made as the case progresses.
Due to the variations in the natures of complaints, information provided, and the availability of additional information or documentation, COR3 cannot provide a timeline on how long cases will take to resolve, and resolution may vary greatly, even between similar complaints.
The COR3 Fraud, Waste, & Abuse Hotline may be used by the public, employees, contractors, subrecipients, and other parties related to federal funding in Puerto Rico to report potential noncompliance with a federal, state, or local law, institutional policy or procedure, or alleged fraud. Other instances of noncompliance (and further reasons to use the hotline) are listed at the end of this page.
A report can be accessed utilizing the report number received when the complaint was filed in order to supply new information or inform of any further action taken by the involved party. With the report tracking number, newly gathered information can be subsequently added to the initial complaint. If the status of the investigation is closed, please contact COR3 using any reporting channel to report any additional information you have received that is related to a previously closed complaint.
COR3 relies on concerned employees, contractors, vendors, and citizens to provide us with information regarding alleged corruption, waste, fraud, mismanagement or misconduct. Reporting fraud, waste and abuse promotes a “Speak-up” culture and minimizes potential fraud, waste, and abuse associated with FEMA Public Assistance Grants and other applicable federal funding. It is incumbent upon each and every person involved in Puerto Rico’s recovery to take responsibility and action in identifying and reporting this information to ensure the most effective use of Federal funding to reconstruct and revitalize Puerto Rico.
It promotes and strengthens an ethical culture, improves working environments and fosters the use of reporting fraud, waste, and abuse through safe, viable, factual and independent channels. Effective and exemplary service is the prime goal for those who use the COR3 Fraud, Waste, & Abuse Hotline.
During the course of the investigation into the report, it may become necessary for COR3 to provide the information to state or federal law enforcement. The information provided to state or federal law enforcement agencies may include details surrounding information in the report, potentially including reporter contact information. If this becomes necessary, COR3 will attempt to maintain the confidentiality of the reporter, however this information may be requested for additional follow-up from law enforcement officials.
• Fraud.
• Corruption.
• Bribery.
• Conflicts of interest.
• Abuse of authority.
• Counterfeit operations and payments.
• Deceiving an auditor or government inspector.
• Intimidation or Extortion.
• Kickbacks.
• Hiring, remuneration or compensation without authorization.
• Hiring, remuneration, compensation or promotion of a person due to personal relationships.
• Alteration or falsification of documents.
• Purchases or acquisition of products and/or services due to personal relationships.
• Use of the COR3 confidential information for personal benefit.
• Any other illegal or unethical behavior in the use of Federal funds for the recovery of Puerto Rico.
