Lee County Clerk to provide Inspector General services to School District
The Lee County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office and the School District of Lee County this week announced a new partnership designed to strengthen trust, enhance transparency and protect taxpayer dollars.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 24, the clerk’s Inspector General is now accepting tips for suspected fraud, waste and abuse claims directed against the Lee County School District. Investigations, when conducted, will be at no cost to the taxpayer or the School District.
The Inspector General is a department within the clerk’s office that conducts internal audits and fraud, waste and abuse investigations of the operations and financial records of Lee County government agencies, departments, employees and others under the authority of the Board of County Commissioners, Port Authority and Lee County Clerk.
“I couldn’t be more excited to offer our Inspector General services to the School District and partner with them on this initiative,” Karnes said. “The Superintendent and School Board are the experts on running schools and they do an excellent job. As the county Comptroller and Auditor – we are the experts on audits and investigations, which is why we wanted to all come together for the best interest of the taxpayers we serve. This partnership is about saving taxpayer dollars while promoting accountability and integrity in our community.”
“We are grateful to the Clerk’s Office for extending the Inspector General’s services to the School District,” said Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin. “This partnership reinforces our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. By working together, we can ensure that our resources remain focused on providing safe, high‑quality learning environments for every student in Lee County.”
The Inspector General’s online hotline provides an anonymous way for district employees and others to submit tips on fraud, waste, and abuse through the Clerk’s website. Once the tip is received, the Inspector General will begin its independent review of the claims to determine if an investigation is warranted. If an investigation is deemed warranted, the Clerk’s office will provide written notice to the School Board and the Superintendent. All investigative reports are published on the Clerk’s website.
Learn more about the Clerk’s Inspector General Department.
About the Lee County Clerk’s office
The Florida Constitution established the Clerk of the Circuit Court as a public trustee, responsible for safeguarding public records and public funds. Clerk Kevin Karnes is directly elected by and accountable to Lee County residents. In addition to the role of Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Clerk is the County Recorder and Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, and the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Auditor for Lee County. Visit leeclerk.org for more.