TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Six people were arrested for defrauding Florida taxpayers in a scheme involving property damage claims processed through the Florida Division of Risk Management, which was announced on Monday by state CFO Blaise Ingoglia.
The alleged fraud totaled $1.7 million.
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The Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (CID) made the arrests, with full cooperation from all state agencies. Additional arrests are expected in the coming weeks. CID encourages anyone involved to come forward voluntarily.
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“Let me be crystal clear: If you steal from Florida taxpayers, you will go to jail,” Ingoglia said. “Our Criminal Investigations Division investigators are working hard to put bad actors behind bars and hold fraudsters accountable.”
He added, “As CFO, I will not allow waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars to be left unchecked, and I will pursue any criminal attempting to steal from the taxpayers to the fullest extent of the law.”
Briana McCarthy, a former Department of Financial Services employee, is believed to have led the operation. Officials say she processed over 220 suspicious property damage claims, resulting in $1.7 million in fraudulent payouts.
McCarthy faces charges including grand theft, aggravated white-collar crime, money laundering, scheme to defraud, criminal use of personal identification information, communications fraud, official misconduct, and forgery.
Brianna Hannan, a former employee of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, has been charged with grand theft.
Carlotta Hawkins, also a former employee of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, faces charges of grand theft and cash deposit bank item with intent to defraud.
Kearia Walker has been charged with grand theft.
Whitney Branch faces charges of grand theft and cash deposit bank item with intent to defraud.
Kavon Reese has been charged with grand theft.