Allegations of fraud in Collier County

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – There are allegations of fraud in Collier County.

One commissioner said a company submitted fraudulent invoices and said the Clerk of Courts, Dwight Brock, paid them without getting approval from commissioners.

Commissioner Georgia Hiller did not say how much taxpayer money might have been lost or which company this involves.

She did say the Clerk of Courts office electronically paid invoices that may have been padded without prior approval from the board. Commissioner Hiller said this is a violation of county ordinance.

Hiller said the county manager contacted the Collier County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the potential fraud, the Clerk of Court’s office and county staff.

“I have reason to believe he [Brock] has known of this for some time and as soon as he found out he made improper payments he should have notified the board of commissioners, the county manager and notified law enforcement,” said Commissioner Hiller.

The Clerk of Courts has a lawsuit pending against the county manager and the county purchasing director, fighting the county’s spending policy.

Commissioner Hiller is now asking anyone with information about potential fraudulent invoices to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.