Florida Attorney General Uthmeier announces new unit to investigate public corruption

"The unit will be housed within the Office of Statewide Prosecution, which Uthmeier oversees, and will be tasked with conducting an audit of "legislative appropriations" over the last two years as well as investigating bribes, kickbacks, conflicts of interest, and money spent towards "personal gain rather than for the good of the public," Uthmeier said at a news conference at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Regional Operations Center in Miami."

"In introducing the unit, Uthmeier cited the recent controversy over daycares receiving state funding in Minnesota as well as what he said was widespread corruption throughout Florida, though he did not name any specific cases. "Our CFO has shined the light on the billions of waste and abuse across the state, especially at the local level, taxpayer dollars not being spent in the best interest of our taxpayers as the public at home has questions and loses trust in our government officials," he said."

"Uthmeier was joined by U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Florida Jason Reding Quiñones, FDLE Miami Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Richard Mantei, who will head the new unit. The unit will work closely with federal prosecutors, Uthmeier said. "When taxpayer dollars are diverted for private gain, a federal crime is committed," Quiñones said. "We will investigate and prosecute accordingly.""

James Uthmeier announced a Public Integrity Unit dedicated to rooting out public corruption across Florida. The unit will be housed in the Office of Statewide Prosecution and will audit legislative appropriations over the past two years. Investigations will target bribes, kickbacks, conflicts of interest, and funds diverted for personal gain rather than public benefit. The unit cites examples including a Minnesota daycare funding controversy and alleged widespread state corruption. The unit will coordinate with federal prosecutors and be led by Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Richard Mantei. U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones warned that diverting taxpayer dollars for private gain constitutes a federal crime.

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