At every level of government, investigations are under way, some routine, some out of the ordinary and some merely for political posturing.
Federal authorities are currently pursuing large‑scale health‑care fraud, public corruption, cyber crime, and organized‑crime investigations. Since last year, the feds have been investigating massive health care fraud, that could amount to nearly $25 billion. So far, 324 defendants have been charged across 50 federal districts, including some in Florida.
Congress is currently conducting investigations into federal spending, border and immigration policy, technology and AI oversight, and pandemic‑era programs.
And, of course, the Democrat Party is investigating Donald Trump. Every day. All day. Trump Derangement Syndrome is the modus operandi of the Far Left party.
The Florida Legislature is preparing for special sessions on the budget and redistricting, but it is not currently running major public investigative committees.
Florida’s state intelligence apparatus is actively monitoring and investigating threats involving cyber crime, dangerous drugs, domestic extremism, and organized criminal networks.
The attorney general is investigating a number of things, including a 1996 shooting, social media and public corruption. Most recently he has threatened action over the silly gun registry that was kept in Jacksonville’s City Hall because during the Curry administration some security guard thought it would be a good idea. Previously, the state attorney found no crime had occurred.
Fodder for local investigators comes from a report by the City Council Auditor’s office that examined public service grants made in fiscal years 2022 and 2023. These grants are handouts of taxpayer money the city gives to various organizations in the annual budget.
Auditors said that out of $1,367,925 payments tested, $477,825 in payments had either no support or insufficient support or were not allowable expenses per the grant agreement at the time the individual payment was made.
Auditors found $62,000 out of $85,000 paid on one grant that lacked evidence services were provided.
The administration agreed with all the auditor’s findings and said it would make the necessary corrections.
Finally, the City Council is gearing up to investigate the city-owned utility company JEA, again. It began with a meeting on St. Patrick’s Day.
There is a suspicion that JEA is not charging some customers correctly, primarily large businesses who pay a “capacity” charge on water and sewer bills to help pay for the additional capacity needed to clean sewage in treatment plants.
JEA may have failed to charge a not-inconsiderable amount. Councilman Rory Diamond, who is on the committee investigating JEA, said in a social media post, “Exhausted by the scandals in Jax. Another big one coming at JEA. $100 million? Whack-a-mole.”
