ODJFS employee allegedly falsified time sheets related to unreported secondary employment

In August 2022, the Office of the Ohio Inspector General received a referral from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) involving ODJFS Training Officer Mariam Makni alleging she inaccurately reported her times worked and misused State of Ohio resources.

The referral indicated concerns that Makni may have used her ODJFS-assigned computer to perform legal work for a law office during her scheduled ODJFS work times.

In furtherance of the investigation, investigators reviewed Makni’s state-issued email account, electronic access card records, computer monitoring data, computer geolocation information, time sheets, employee schedules and personnel files.

During the 90-day period under review, investigators determined that Makni allegedly violated ODJFS policies when she:

• Used her ODJFS-assigned computer to perform work for her secondary employment at a law office;

• Used her ODJFS-assigned computer to perform work for her secondary employment at a law office during concurrent times she reported working for ODJFS; and

• Submitted falsified time sheets to ODJFS and was compensated for over 45 hours of time she was performing work or attending events for her secondary employment at a law office.

The report of investigation has been referred to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Columbus City Attorney’s Office and the Ohio Ethics Commission for consideration.

Ohio Inspector General Report of Investigation file number 2022-CA00020 is now available at: https://watchdog.ohio.gov/investigations/2023investigations.aspx.