Investigations

Mission: To deter, detect and investigate internal and external fraud or employee misconduct impacting the Florida Department of Commerce.

Activities of the Investigations Section

In carrying out the investigative duties and responsibilities, each inspector general initiates, conducts, supervises, and coordinates investigations and inquiries designed to detect, deter, prevent, and eradicate fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct, and other abuses in state government. For these purposes, each inspector general receives complaints and coordinates all activities of the agency required to address those complaints. Some result in investigations, others are referred to management for handling and response, and some result in management reviews that provide recommendations for improvement in the agency’s processes and programs. The Investigations Section also reviews and considers complaints to determine if they meet the criteria of the Florida Whistle-blower’s Act pursuant to F.S. 112.3187-112.31895.

While all complaints are considered, the criteria for the Florida Whistleblower’s Act requires that complaints be signed and in writing and submitted to the agency Inspector General or to the Governor’s Chief Inspector General’s Office, or through the Whistle-blower’s hotline.

Non-Whistle-blower complaints may be submitted anonymously by phone or in writing and sent via fax or email. All complaints will be assessed and considered for investigation, inquiry or referral—and all will be assessed to see if they meet the criteria outlined in the Whistle-blower’s Act.

At the end of each fiscal year, a summary of all complaints received during the year is compiled and the outcomes of those complaints are reported in annual report that is sent to the Agency Head. This annual report is issued every September 30^th.

For additional information, please view the OIG Investigations Brochure.