Public Integrity Unit
Hotline: (866) 272-4351
Fax: (904) 819-3696
Address: SJC Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Attn: Inspector General/Public Integrity Unit
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Email: fwa@stjohnsclerk.com
Click here for the 2020 Comprehensive Audit Plan.
Policy
The Office of Inspector General of the St. Johns County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is interested in receiving information, or anonymous tips, confidentially from employees, contractors, and members of the public. We take seriously our responsibility to evaluate your concerns regarding fraud, waste, and abuse, and conduct investigations, when appropriate.
The Clerk of Court and Comptroller, having the responsibility of accounting and audit of county funds and resources, conducts investigative audits of suspected inappropriate activity. If an investigative audit substantiates that a fraudulent act has occurred, the Inspector General will notify the Clerk of Court and appropriate County officials. When the substantiated fraudulent action has criminal implications, the Inspector General will notify the enforcement agency according to jurisdiction, and assist in any preparation and presentation of criminal findings in a court of law.
It is the intent of the Legislature to prevent agencies or independent contractors from taking retaliatory action against an employee who reports to an appropriate agency violations of law on the part of a public employer or independent contractor that create a substantial and specific danger to the public’s health, safety, or welfare. It is further the intent of the Legislature to prevent agencies or independent contractors from taking retaliatory action against any person who discloses information to an appropriate agency alleging improper use of governmental office, gross waste of funds, or any other abuse or gross neglect of duty on the part of an agency, public officer, or employee. These protections are detailed in Sections 112.3187-112.31895 of the Florida Statutes.
Definitions
- Fraud – a dishonest and intentional course of action that results in obtaining money, property, or an advantage to which the individual committing the action would not normally be entitled. Examples of fraudulent actions include forgery, misappropriation of funds, alteration of records, accepting gifts of material value from vendors, providing services or materials of the County for personal benefit, or other actions like these.
- Waste – the needless, careless, or extravagant expenditure of County funds, incurring of unnecessary expense, or inefficient use of County resources or property.
- Abuse – the intentionally wrongful or improper use of County resources that can include the excessive or improper use of one’s position, in a manner contrary to its rightful or legally intended use.