Update: Jul. 30, 2011 - Pam Bondi issued a statement on this issue HERE, but I found it to still be vague and not definitive on why two experienced foreclosure fraud investigators were fired earlier.
Original Article:
Tavares, FL - Jul 24, 2011 - As Attorney General for the State of Florida, I am disappointed in your apparent lack of interest in fighting Foreclosure fraud or corruption in Florida as evidenced by two issues:
- The article below from Scott Maxwell describing the unjustified firing of two top foreclosure fraud investigators without any solid explanation.
- The referenced Florida Grand Jury report issued by your office just before New Year's 2010 in an apparent attempt to avoid questions on the report, and your lack of action in "marketing" the recommendations to the Florida legislators.
Below is a link to Scott Maxwell’s recent disturbing column in the Orlando Sentinel’s office about how Pam Bondi fired the two investigators who reported all the recent foreclosure fraud in Florida.
And, here is another op ed piece at "firedoglake.com on the same issue.
Additionally, we corresponded before about the Grand Jury report on Corruption being issued by Pam Bondi’s office just before New Years, and no action being taken by Ms. Bondi to publicize or initiate legislative actions on the recommendations to reduce corruption. Here is the link to the article I wrote on
Can you please provide me Ms. Bondi’s response about the firings and lack of action on the Corruption Grand Jury report? Why isn’t Ms. Bondi apparently supportive of fraud and corruption detection and prosecution and improved legislation.
A BALANCE is needed between PREVENTION of fraud and corruption, vs only prosecution. As a former internal audit manager and anti-corruption adviser in Iraq, my experience is that prosecution oriented departments need to also take a lead in “selling” improvements in business systems to REDUCE fraud and corruption, not just prosecute the cases. Thus, you should be involved in “marketing” the anti-corruption recommendations to the legislature as well as reinstating the foreclosure investigators mentioned above.
Update: On 7/22, Ms Bondi distributed an "explanation" HERE to the media about the firings of the two investigators, which seems trumped up. Here is an extract from another Scott Maxwell column following up on the issue:
Extract from Scott Maxwell's 7/21/2011 column HERE:
Bondi strikes back
In Wednesday's column, I detailed the case of two investigators with the attorney general's office who were making national headlines for cracking down on foreclosure fraud — right up until Bondi's office forced them out.
Investigators Theresa Edwards and June Clarkson said they were being thrown out because they ruffled the feathers of too many powerful people. They had unearthed thousands of examples of fraud — and helped earn taxpayers a record $2 million settlement with one firm. They were gunning for more in May when they were told they must either resign or be fired.
Previously, Bondi and her deputies had refused to explain themselves. But on Thursday, they changed their minds.
Bondi's office issued a statement saying the two were fired for "poor performance."
Although the statement said the two "had not engaged in deliberate misconduct," it accused them of having problems in a variety of areas, such as "professionalism to opposing counsel," "judgment in discussing matters related to pending" and "proper case file organization."
But the office offered no specifics or examples — nor any documentation of such criticism before their ouster. (The lone example was a memo criticizing their boss for having staffers with those problems … but not mentioning either Clarkson or Edwards by name.)
The claims of "poor performance" stand in stark contrast to the investigators' most recent job reviews.
Both received ratings of either "exceptional" or "above expectations" in 29 out of the collective 30 categories in which they were reviewed.
A review Edwards received just four weeks before she was forced out stated: "I cannot overstate the degree to which I respect Ms. Edwards and her work with this unit."
Apparently, these were two of the most highly rated poor performers Florida has ever employed.
More to come on this one — including details about the assistant attorney general and special counsel who recently left the office … to work for one of the foreclosure firms his office was investigating.
[email protected] or 407-420-6141
I will wait for Ms. Bondi’s response… and will post it on my FiscalRangers.com blog. My background is on LinkedIn also, as well as the FiscalRangers.com blog.
I am also sending this to the six Florida legislators for Lake County, Florida (and some of their staff). These issues may be dull, but they NEED TO BE RESOLVED. I would like to see several legislators inquire about this apparent lack of regard by your office related to foreclosure fraud or anti-corruption actions.
Note: Readers are encouraged to post comments here or on Pam Bondi's Facebook page HERE:
https://www.facebook.com/pambondi
Thank you,
Vance Jochim
Lake County Fiscal Rangers
Chief Fiscal Watchdog
Volunteers Searching for Ways to Improve Local Government Fiscal Management, Efficiency & Effectiveness
Tavares, FL 32778
Mobile: 352-638-3578
Fiscal Ranger's page on Facebook
CLICK HERE to see recommended internet links related to Local Lake County government fiscal issues.
CLICK HERE to see my separate blog on Corruption in Iraq and the World.