Public Integrity Unit

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