Lee Clerk targets county fraud

FORT MYERS — Lee County Clerk of Court Linda Doggett has formed an inspector general office to investigate allegations of county government waste and fraud.

The new public-integrity unit will perform investigations outside of the clerk's regular county audits to determine whether allegations of waste, fraud, abuse or ethical misconduct can be substantiated. When an investigation uncovers potential criminal violations, the clerk's office will refer it to law-enforcement authorities for further action.

The public-integrity unit will operate separately from the clerk's audit unit, but it will be staffed with current employees. “We are committed to optimize our opportunities for improving the delivery of government services to our citizens,” Doggett says in a statement.

In addition, the clerk has launched an anonymous tip line on the Lee County Clerk of Court website where citizens can include documentation that supports their claim of government waste or fraud. There's also a phone tips line at 239-337-7799.