Overview

Darrell E. Furuseth
Chief of Investigations

With the overall guidance of the Inspector General, the Bureau of Investigations assists the Department in ensuring the promotion of accountability, integrity, and efficiency within the agency. The Bureau of Investigations is responsible to initiate, conduct, supervise, and coordinate investigations designed to detect, deter, prevent, and eradicate fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct, and other abuses within the agency and its provider programs. Additionally, Section 985.701 requires the Office of the Inspector General to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct between employees and youths under agency supervision.

On a daily basis the Bureau of Investigations assesses incidents reported to the Central Communications Center (Hot-line) in an effort to ensure that incidents warranting additional attention are properly assigned. Complaints are also accepted by mail, fax, and e-mail directly to the Office of the Inspector General. Depending on the nature and/or complexity of the incident or complaint it may be assigned for review by the responsible Program Area or by the OIG for either review by the Management Review Unit or for Inquiry of Investigation by the Bureau of Investigations. Additionally, the Bureau of Investigations is responsible for the investigation of assigned allegations of civil rights violations and Whistle-blower complaints. All assignments to Bureau of Investigations staff are thoroughly investigated and a report of the findings is prepared. The Bureau of Investigations may include recommendations for appropriate corrective action to address noted issues; however, the Bureau of Investigations does not recommend specific disciplinary action.

Pursuant to Section 20.055, Florida Statutes, investigations and inquiries are to be conducted by the Bureau of Investigations free of actual or perceived impairment to the independence of the Office of the Inspector General. This includes freedom from any interference with investigations and inquiries and timely access to records, other sources of information, and programs and facilities (state-run or contracted).

In accordance with Section 20.055 (6)(e), at the conclusion of each investigation in which the subject of the investigation is a specific entity contracting with the state or an individual substantially affected as defined in this section, and if the investigation is not confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure by law, the inspector general shall, consistent with Section 119.07(1), F.S., submit findings to the subject that is a specific entity contracting with the state or an individual substantially affected, who shall be advised in writing that they may submit a written response within 20 working days after receipt of the findings. Such response and the inspector general's rebuttal to the response, if any, shall be included in the final investigative report.

The Bureau is staffed by a Chief of Investigations, two Investigations Coordinators, eight Inspector Specialists, and three administrative support staff. The Investigations Coordinators and Inspectors are physically located throughout the state for the efficient and effective handling of assignments.