DeNucci calls for more funding for disabled protection agency

By Globe Staff

The state agency that investigates allegations that disabled people are being abused doesn’t have enough staff, the state auditor said today.

State Auditor Joe DeNucci said that the understaffing at the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, along with the commission’s increasing caseload, has hampered its ability to investigate cases.

Investigations are not being completed in a timely manner, putting disabled people “at risk of further abuse,” DeNucci warned.

“The commission needs additional financial resources,” DeNucci said in a statement.

An audit by DeNucci discovered that the commission was unable to complete investigations on 653 cases, or 77 percent of its caseload, during the mandated 30-day time limit in fiscal 2007.

DeNucci’s audit pointed to an increase in the number of hotline calls made to the commission -- and the resulting investigations that have to be made.

Emil Deriggi, deputy executive director of the commission, said, "Obviously, we agree with the findings of the auditor's report. I think the report speaks for itself."

"We certainly also realize that the Legislature and governor's office have a limited amount of funds themselves and they spread them around as best they can," he said.

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