UPDATED WITH BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Taxpayer dollars are still missing after two years and now one community group is calling for an independent investigation by the FBI. I'm Maya Sargent, in Downtown Tallahassee, breaking down why the group is looking into this issue and what comes next.
In March 2024, we reported TPD received a report from the City of Tallahassee saying more than one million dollars in City funds had been stolen from an outside source.
Almost two years later, there has been no update in the investigation.
Tuesday, Citizens for Government Accountability decided to take matters into their own hands.
"Since we can count on no transparency and no real help from the people inside the city government to make sure our interests are protected we are asking for an independent investigation to make sure that happens," said Dot Inman-Johnson, CEO of the group.
That independent investigation includes the FBI. Johnson says she's already put in the request to get the ball rolling into what happened to the missing taxpayer dollars.
I reached out to the City for comment, who referred me to TPD, who are over the investigation.
In a statement Tuesday, TPD said the investigation remains "open" and "active, adding:
"Currently, the investigation remains open and active. Due to the ongoing nature of the case, we are limited in the amount of information we can share; however, the matter continues to be thoroughly reviewed. We will provide updates when it is appropriate and consistent with the integrity of the investigation."
The CGA says they take issue with TPD investigation its own boss - the City, a reason why they want this independent investigation by the FBI.
They are also looking for the City to take accountability.
"Two years is too long for any law enforcement agency to at least not come up and just simply say, we want to update the public on where we are, that we haven't forgotten about you," said Lee Johnson.
The CGA says they hope to be able to get answers for taxpayers.
"I think people, the voters need to know, the citizens need to know, look, that's a million dollars of your taxpayer money that has gone unaccounted for," said Johnson. "We're just asking for accountability."
CGA says they submitted the paperwork to the FBI Tuesday and they'll wait on them to now review it. In Downtown Tallahassee, Maya Sargent, ABC 27.
ORIGINAL:
The former Commissioner is calling for an independent investigation into missing taxpayer dollars.
The missing $1 million was reported missing back in 2024. The Tallahassee Police Department was looking into how the money was stolen.
Two years later, officials are calling for answers.
Dot Inman Johnson held a press conference to share they have submitted paperwork to the FBI to ask for an independent investigation.
ABC 27 contacted the City for an update into the investigation, which referred us to the Tallahassee Police Department. In a statement Tuesday, they said,
"Currently, the investigation remains open and active. Due to the ongoing nature of the case, we are limited in the amount of information we can share; however, the matter continues to be thoroughly reviewed. We will provide updates when it is appropriate and consistent with the integrity of the investigation."
ABC 27 also contacted the United States Secret Service to see if they are still assisting with the investigation. A spokesperson for the Secret Service said they would get back to us with any update they have related to the case.
Back in March 28, 2024 the Tallahassee Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit received a report from the City of Tallahassee stating more than a million in city funds had been stolen from an outside source.
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Johnson says she's submitted paperwork Tuesday to the FBI requesting an investigation.
Johnson says this isn't the first time money has been stolen from the city within a five-year period.
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