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Amending Chapter 19-3100, entitled Attorney Fees in Collection Matters; Retention of Private Attorneys, by giving the office of the Inspector General jurisdiction over delinquent accounts suspected of involving fraud or tax evasion, under certain terms and conditions.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 19-3100 of The Philadelphia Code is amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 19-3100. ATTORNEY AND OTHER COLLECTION FEES IN COLLECTION MATTERS; OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL JURISDICTION OVER DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS SUSPECTED OF INVOLVING FRAUD OR TAX EVASION; RETENTION OF PRIVATE ATTORNEYS AND OTHER COLLECTORS.
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§ 19-3102. Office of the Inspector General Jurisdiction over Delinquent Accounts Suspected of Involving Fraud or Tax Evasion and Retention of Private Attorneys and Collection Agencies in Collection Matters.
(1) The Office of the Inspector General shall have jurisdiction over delinquent accounts suspected of involving fraud or tax evasion. The Revenue Commissioner shall at the direction of the Inspector General refer said accounts to the Office of the Inspector General for investigation, forensic audit, collections and other appropriate enforcement actions to uncover and collect amounts owed to the City. To aid the Office of the Inspector General in discharging the responsibilities conferred herein, it shall in its discretion, retain appropriate professional service providers, including but not limited to, forensic auditors, private investigators and information technology specialists.
(2) [(1)] When the Law Department retains private attorneys or collection agencies to handle to completion the collection of delinquent taxes and municipal claims, and for related matters, such contracts may be made on a contingent fee or hourly rate basis and shall be for such term and contain such conditions as the City Solicitor deems necessary or desirable in the interest of the City.
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Explanation:
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted.
Italics indicate new matter added.
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