Preventing Fraud and Mismanagement in Government

Introduction

PREVENTING FRAUD AND MISMANAGEMENT in Government Systems and Structures explores the dimensions of fraud and mismanagement that can and, unfortunately, do exist too often in government entities. Mismanagement is when people manage or control situations poorly. It can be associated with misconduct, corruption, malfeasance, and misuse and may or may not be fraud. Understanding mismanagement and the intent of the parties involved in it leads to skeptical thinking and close scrutiny.

Both of the authors have extensive experience with government entities—as elected and/or appointed officials and as government staffers and/or contractors. Applying their life experiences in dealing with government entities, the authors bring the reader not only an academic perspective but real‐life examples and lessons learned in fraud and mismanagement. Through examples and well‐explained overviews, the authors create a much‐needed awareness of how mismanagement and fraud in government are precipitated, despite consistent oversight. The authors argue that only through keen awareness and sound adjustment of systems to the changing times can the journey to creating a more efficiently managed government begin. The premier issues of status quo apathy remain: that the general public accepts and, all too often, does not care about fraud in government. This attitude resounds on a daily basis, from the national to the local level. Without interest and at times ensuing outrage, mismanagement and ...