Palm Beach County inspector general reports $77 million in questioned costs; incoming IG outlines data and AI priorities

John Carey, the Palm Beach County inspector general, delivered his office's six-month status report to the Inspector General Oversight Committee, citing roughly $77 million in questioned costs and about $25.7 million in potential cost savings identified by the office over its tenure.

Carey said the office has referred 7,769 cases to law enforcement and ethics authorities and that work this period directly led to 24 arrests. "We basically root out the bad," Carey said, adding that the office also aims to "promote the good" by improving government efficiency.

The report highlighted a mix of personnel and operational items: new and returning FAU interns, recent staff certifications and two recently issued fraud reports with two additional reports on municipal misconduct expected soon. Stu Robinson, director of investigations, summarized intake trends and said the office is seeing fewer small COVID-era assistance fraud referrals but more complex fraud matters, including social-media schemes that sold forged assistance documents to applicants.

Robinson described a fraud investigation involving an alleged seller of forged documents and a fake-landlord rental-assistance scheme that was referred to law enforcement. He said the office published short "tips and trends" guidance and shared findings at a quarterly fraud working group chaired by the FBI.

Tony Montero, who leads contract oversight, briefed the committee on procurement-monitoring work and warned about risks in certain public-private partnership solicitations. Montero described a Riviera Beach solicitation that referenced multiple fire stations but included detailed specifications for only one; the IG office recommended the city refine processes and solicitation language. "When you build a building, there's a lot more involved," Montero said, explaining why the office questioned the solicitation's apparent flexibility.

Hillary Beaujean, director of audit, reported three audit reports issued in the six-month window with 46 recommendations (45 accepted) and $47,942 in questioned costs identified in that period. Her audits included a Solid Waste Authority review that found weaknesses in accounts-receivable reconciliations and a workforce-housing audit that uncovered overcharges at Wellington Club Apartments totaling more than $30,000 across 2018'023; credits and county actions reduced the remaining overpayments to about $22,000.

Carey used his final committee appearance to tally the office's achievements and thank staff. "I've treated them as my colleagues, my friends, my family," Carey said. He noted the office's long reach across the county, including oversight of county government, 39 municipalities and several special districts.

Calinthia Dillard, the incoming inspector general, told the committee she plans to continue the current strategic plan, expand outreach and strengthen the office's use of technology. Dillard said the office is funded for 30 positions and currently has 29 filled. She said she wants to "follow the lead of the county" on AI policy but will train investigators and auditors to identify manipulated evidence and incorporate more data analytics and social-media outreach to increase public engagement.

The committee received a brief contract update: county staff member Paul reported that negotiations with Calendly have gone well and projected the contract would be presented to the Board of County Commissioners in June. The meeting closed with several members offering remarks of gratitude to Carey before adjournment.