Palm Beach County OIG reports fraud referrals, municipal audit findings and plans to study procurement change orders; IG announces transition

The Palm Beach County Office of the Inspector General presented a semiannual update to the inspector general committee on Nov. 6, 2025, summarizing personnel changes, investigative activity, contract oversight work, recent audits and planned reviews for fiscal 2026. Inspector General John said the office’s mission is "to provide that independent oversight, insight and foresight for the county to make sure that we’re promoting integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness."

Metrics and investigations: The OIG reported 142 complaints received during the six-month period and 31 current full investigations. The office said it produced four reports in that window and continues to refer credible cases to law enforcement and the state attorney. Examples the OIG described include assistance-fraud cases in which county or related benefit applicants submitted falsified employer letters and documents. One case involved a former county employee-turned-school-district employee who collected $18,011.23 after submitting falsified school-district letters; investigators referred that matter to the state attorney. Another case involved an intermediary, identified in OIG reporting as Prosper Joseph, who helped create false documents that supported roughly $12,484 of improper assistance; the OIG recorded a confession from the subject and referred the matter for prosecution.

The OIG said its work has also enabled criminal arrests. After an OIG investigation of a property manager, Janice Griffin Clark, the West Palm Beach Police Department arrested the manager and an accomplice on charges related to creating fake tenants and applying for rental assistance on their behalf; the OIG said the state attorney’s office pursued prosecution and the subjects were arrested.

Contract oversight: Tony Montero, director of contract oversight and evaluations, reported increased monitoring activity and a formal report for the Town of Jupiter finding the town had not followed its own piggybacking procedures when it relied on a school-board vendor list. The town awarded work to a single vendor without seeking the required competitive quotes, producing an unpriced action; the OIG recommended staff training and procedures to ensure compliance, and the town reported implementing those recommendations.

Audits and municipal findings: Audit director Hillary Beaujean reviewed ongoing audits and highlighted the April audit of the City of Pahokee, which identified widespread and longstanding noncompliance with purchasing, credit card, travel and contract policies, weak capital-asset records, and insufficient documentation for many expenditures. The OIG said those problems had persisted for about a decade and that its report was shared with the state attorney’s office and the Commission on Ethics. The OIG also issued an audit of the Solid Waste Authority’s tipping-fee revenue and cash intake process that identified deficiencies in accounts-receivable reconciliations, inconsistent write-offs of delinquent accounts (some 4 to 31 months past due), and insufficient management review documentation; management concurred with recommendations.

Planned work and procurement change-order study: The OIG listed planned FY2026 audits including contract agreements, water quality reporting compliance, grants, law-enforcement overtime, IT network security, permitting fees, and construction change orders. The office emphasized a planned study to look for patterns and red flags in construction change orders, an area the OIG said carries fraud risk and long-term cost implications.

Outreach, staffing and technology: Deputy inspector general and general counsel Kalinthia Dillard described outreach (tips-and-trends publications, training to municipal staff and new-employee orientations), national engagement with inspector-general peers and plans to address AI and IT auditing needs. The OIG said its budgeted complement is approved for 30 positions and currently has 28 staff on hand; the OIG’s jurisdiction covers Palm Beach County plus 39 municipalities and two special districts. The office estimated it operates at roughly $2.95 per county resident based on the budget figures presented.

Leadership note: Inspector General John told the committee he will not seek renewal of his contract when it expires in June 2026 and advised the IG committee in accord with ordinance requirements so the panel can begin transition planning. He reiterated the office will continue full operations until his departure.

Provenance: The OIG briefing began with roll call and an opening statement by the Inspector General (transcript timecode 01:02:40) and continued through a range of presentations by OIG division directors and deputies, concluding with closing remarks about the office’s impact and next steps (transcript timecode 02:12:28).