Report Fraud

The Clerk's Office has the responsibility to investigate all suspected inappropriate activity.

The objectives include the following:

• Maintaining a fraud, waste, abuse and ethics hotline.
• Conducting investigations of issues raised from hotline submissions, input from the Clerk or County employees, and any fraud indicators identified while performing audits. If the investigation substantiates that an act of fraud, waste or abuse has occurred, the investigator will notify the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller or other appropriate officials.
• Investigating suspected instances of fraud. If the substantiated act has criminal implications, the Clerk will consult with law enforcement agencies, as necessary, and assist in the preparation and presentation of criminal findings in a court of law as requested.
• Working in conjunction with other audit and investigative bodies within St. Lucie County, when appropriate, to conduct joint audits and investigations.

Fraud is defined by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners in their Fraud Manual as “Any intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or money by guile, deception, or other unfair means.”

Examples include, but are not limited to the following list:

• Personal use of government-owned vehicles, supplies or equipment
• Violations of procurement policy
• Submitting false vouchers for reimbursements
• Soliciting or accepting a bribe or a kickback
• Intentionally misrepresenting the costs of goods or services provided
• Falsification of official documents (timesheets, leave reports, travel vouchers, financial records, etc.)
• Conducting personal business on Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller time
• Theft or misappropriation of funds, supplies, property, or other resources
• Forgery or alteration of financial documents or computer files
• Pursuit of a financial benefit or advantage in violation of conflict of interest policies
• Profiting by self or others as a result of inside knowledge

Waste refers to the unintentional, thoughtless or careless expenditure, consumption, mismanagement, use or squandering of government resources to the detriment or potential detriment of St. Lucie County. Waste also includes unnecessarily incurring costs as a result of inefficient practices, systems or controls.

Examples include, but are not limited to the following list:

• Purchase of unneeded supplies or equipment
• Purchase of goods at inflated prices
• Failure to reuse or recycle major resources or reduce waste generation

Abuse refers to intentional, wrongful, or improper use or destruction of government resources, or seriously improper practice that does not involve prosecutable fraud. Abuse can include the excessive or improper use of an employee or official's position in a manner other than its rightful or legal use. Abuse can occur in financial or non-financial settings.

Ethical Misconduct refers to instances when public officials and government employees conduct their duties in a manner which is not impartial; use their public office for personal gain; or when their private interests are in conflict with their public duties. Detailed information regarding the State's code of ethics for public officers and employees can be found in Florida Statute Chapter 112.

Fraud Hotline Call: 772-462-1488

You can anonymously report potential incidents of fraud, waste, abuse and ethical misconduct that involve possible detriment to St. Lucie County.

To file a report:

• Call 772-462-1488
• Email [email protected].  Submissions are sent directly to the Clerk’s audit team.
• Fill out our Report Fraud Form
  Report Fraud Form

Fraud Hotline Call: 772-462-1488

You can anonymously report potential incidents of financial fraud or waste involving court-appointed guardianships over elderly, minor children and incapacitated individuals. This includes but is not limited to:

• Missing money or property
• Suspicious loans, funds transfers, opened or closed accounts/lines of credit
• Suspicious purchase or sale of real or personal property
• Violations of federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations
• Guardian has a conflict of interest or is exhibiting signs of a more expensive lifestyle
• Forced removal of the ward from their home or residence

To file a report:

• Call 772-462-1488
• Email [email protected].  Submissions are sent directly to the Clerk’s guardianship auditors.
• Fill out our Guardianship Fraud Form
  Guardianship Fraud Form

If you suspect physical abuse or neglect, please contact the Florida Department of Children and Families at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).

Property Fraud

Property fraud occurs when an individual with no ownership rights records a forged deed, mortgages, liens, and other documents, to sell or transfer property to another person.

What Is Property Fraud?

Clerk Miller has made property fraud a top priority in St. Lucie County. Since her election in 2020, Clerk Miller has implemented a property fraud notification system, at no cost to St. Lucie County property owners, to begin to address fraudulent property transactions in St. Lucie County. With statewide concern in this area the Florida State Legislature passed HB 1419 in 2023, which provides property owners with the right to open a court case to restore their property rights.
Property Fraud Alert