Texans who suspect someone of cheating on state taxes or misusing public money now have a direct online channel to the state investigators who handle those cases.
The Texas Comptroller's office announced Monday that it has opened a whistleblower portal on its website. Reports go securely to investigators in the agency's Law Enforcement Operations division, known as LEO. People filing a tip can describe what they saw in detail, upload supporting documents and choose to stay anonymous.
What can be reported
According to the agency, the division's investigators look into:
- Government officials accused of misusing taxpayer money
- Businesses and nonprofits that break state tax law
- Sales tax that was collected from customers but never sent to the state
- Crimes involving motor fuel, tobacco and motor vehicle taxes
- Perjury on government forms and tampering with government records
The office said the division can bring money laundering and organized crime charges when warranted, works with local, state and federal police, and tries to recover money in every case.
The comptroller's office describes LEO as a statewide police organization commissioned under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and the Tax Code. The division was reorganized when Comptroller Don Huffines took office Aug. 1.
"Texans see things we cannot. If you witness or suspect fraud, tax evasion, waste, or abuse, report it," Huffines said in the announcement. He added that the agency "will aggressively pursue anyone who defrauds the state of Texas."
