Cape Coral sues utilities contractor
December 29, 2010

Cape Coral is suing its utilities expansion contractor for access to records it wants in order to complete an audit started in 2006.

Deerfield Beach commissioners may decide Poitier's fate in January
December 27, 2010

City commissioners who threatened in October to remove fellow Commissioner Sylvia Poitier from office for unethical behavior still have made no decision on whether they will take action against her.

VV Mayor calls for closure in grand jury, SEC, USCIS probes
December 25, 2010

VICTORVILLE • The cost and strain of responding to lengthy investigations by two federal and one county agency has newly seated Mayor Ryan McEachron calling for an end to the inquiries — though he first requested the forensic audit by the San Bernardino County Grand Jury.

City of Cape Coral seeks records from utilities contractor
December 10, 2010

Cape Coral is preparing to file a request in Circuit Court to help it obtain records from its former utilities expansion project construction manager.

City showed little oversight in its lavish funding of festivals
December 3, 2010

Deerfield Beach – An independent auditor has issued a scathing report indicating the city spent inordinate amounts of taxpayer money to present three community festivals, the Brazilian Fest, The Carl Nixon Mango Festival and Founders’ Days.

Audit: Deerfield Beach paid heavily for 'lavish' festivals
November 30, 2010

Taxpayer dollars spent with little accountability; some employees accused of hiding transactions

Former Caretaker of Elderly Millionaire Convicted in Manhattan Federal Court of Stealing $3.2 Million and Valuable Artwork
November 22, 2010

Defendant Stole a Trove of Works by Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, Francis Picabia, Alex Katz, Joe Brainard, and Others, Including Warhol’s Heinz 57 Box

Probe: Mount Sinai teacher overcharged students for class trips
November 18, 2010

Students at Mount Sinai High School have for five years been overpaying for senior class trips organized by a now-retired district middle school teacher who is also a travel agent, according to an accounting investigation launched by the father of two former Mount Sinai students.

School fund mismanaged in Mount Sinai
October 22, 2010

LONG ISLAND, NY -- Teachers profited from the mismanagement of thousands of dollars in student activity funds in the Mount Sinai school district, according to a new report from a forensic accounting firm.

Fort Pierce, former Community Services assistant director settle discrimination complaint
October 22, 2010

FORT PIERCE — The city has agreed to pay the former assistant director of the Community Services Department, which is under federal investigation for allegations of fraud and corruption, $20,864 to settle a discrimination complaint filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Accused Ponzi schemer may cop plea
October 13, 2010

Alleged con man Nicholas Cosmo, who supposedly orchestrated a $413 million Ponzi scheme on Long Island, is working out a plea deal to avoid a lengthy trial, according to court records and his attorney.

Pompano Beach audit finds favoritism, potentially fraudulent activity in housing programs
October 13, 2010

An audit of the city's Department of Housing and Urban Improvement has uncovered poorly administered programs, favoritism in the distribution of state and federal grants, and possible fraudulent activity by former employees and grant recipients.

HUD audit recommends Deerfield Beach reimburse agency more than $200,000
October 1, 2010

City did not report to HUD relationships of two commissioners to groups receiving money

Eyes Only: Florida might be corrupt, but at least it’s open
September 13, 2010

Is political corruption on the rise? Florida is probably a good place to search for an answer to the question, since we rank No. 1 in political corruption convictions, according to the Justice Department.

Luxor's casino floor under review in Vegas
September 10, 2010

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The tower of Pisa leans. The sphinx of Egypt has lost its nose. And the Luxor pyramid on the Strip may be compacting itself, like the spine of a person with osteoporosis.

Auditors hampered by missing Pompano Beach files
August 11, 2010

Department's practices under investigation

Victorville agrees to open more records to grand jury
August 4, 2010

VICTORVILLE • The City Council has agreed to waive attorney-client privilege on a limited basis, opening more records to the grand jury and its forensic auditor as an investigation into Victorville’s finances and management practices continues.

Cape Coral willing to sue for documents
July 27, 2010

MWH papers called key to utilities audit

Grand jury's auditor at work in Victorville
July 26, 2010

VICTORVILLE • One of the top forensic auditing firms in the country now has its own temporary office at City Hall, as an investigation into Victorville’s finances by the San Bernardino County Grand Jury moves forward.

City to investigate whether MWH records are public
July 26, 2010

Information needed to pursue completion of Kessler audit

Mayor's town hall meeting draws crowd
July 24, 2010

Nearly 100 residents attended Cape Coral Mayor John Sullivan's town hall meeting Saturday morning.

Time, cost may hinder completion of Kessler audit
July 19, 2010

It's still unclear whether the documents Kessler International needs to complete the forensic audit will be available, or how far the Cape Coral City Council will go to obtain those records.

Are You Paying Employees to Cheat?
July 16, 2010

Do Incentives, Bonuses Encourage Cheating?

Auditor wants $2,019 from Cape Coral
July 2, 2010

Auditor Michael Kessler is asking Cape Coral to pay him $2,019 for the work he has done so far to reopen an audit of the city’s 1999 contract with MWH Americas.

Audit firm hired to examine housing department
July 1, 2010

Pompano Beach has hired a forensic auditor to review its Office of Housing & Urban Improvement, stemming from concerns over possible corruption within the department.

Deerfield Beach's 2010 Mango Festival: How a Disaster Blew Up
July 1, 2010

Once upon a time, the Mango Festival was a signature event for the city of Deerfield Beach. At its pinnacle in 2005, performers like R&B legend Keith Sweat graced the stage, and a whopping 60,000 attendees strolled through the gates.

Pompano Beach authorizes forensic audit of housing and development programs
June 22, 2010

Kessler International, already working for Deerfield Beach, wins another job in Broward County

Housing Authority wants $300,000 to produce records
June 11, 2010

After being asked by an independent auditor to produce millions of pages of documents necessary to review the city's finances, the Deerfield Beach Housing Authority is asking that the city pay for the agency's cost to comply.

Cape tries to balance budget
May 18, 2010

But revenue outlook shows bad news

Contract with Kessler to complete audit could be approved next week
May 17, 2010

Proposed price tag ‘not to exceed’ $60,000

City calls for second audit, removes board members
May 13, 2010

In the wake of Deerfield Beach's decision to place two Community Development Division employees on paid leave, city commissioners have approved a request by Commissioner Bill Ganz to remove several city board members.

Federal inspectors to review Deerfield Beach's community development block grant program
May 11, 2010

Six-week analysis will determine if audit is needed

Grand jury answers call to probe Victorville's finances
May 11, 2010

VICTORVILLE • Four months after Victorville City Council asked the grand jury for help conducting an independent investigation into the city’s finances, it appears the citizen watchdog group has stepped up to the plate.

Grand jury seeks expert help to study government books
May 11, 2010

SAN BERNARDINO • The 2009-10 grand jury of San Bernardino County has requested outside legal counsel to help examine the books and records of local government agencies, according to Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors agenda.

Deerfield Beach dismisses board members, orders second audit
May 6, 2010

Kessler International wins another contract, worth $100,000

Cape Coral continues quest for MWH payroll records
May 5, 2010

1:10 A.M. — Cape Coral's city attorney will try to determine the best and most cost effective way to get payroll records from MWH so auditor Michael Kessler can complete his review of the utilities expansion project contract.

Staff to help whittle down list of city manager candidates
May 3, 2010

Council turns to city attorney in pursuit of MWH documents

Cape Coral's attorney to explore how to get records for utility audit
May 3, 2010

5:33 P.M. — Cape Coral’s city attorney will try to determine the best and most cost effective way to get payroll records from MWH so auditor Michael Kessler can complete an audit of the utilities construction management contract.

Audit Seeks Probe of City’s Grant Programs
April 30, 2010

DEERFIELD BEACH — Deputies escorted two city employees from their office this week following a scathing audit that accused their division of lax record keeping, unaccounted funds, conflicts of interest and several incidents of possible fraud in a city grant program for needy people that they oversaw.

Audit of Deerfield Beach Community Development Division alleges mismanagement, fraud
April 23, 2010

DEERFIELD BEACH — A forensic audit of the Deerfield Beach Community Development Division and nonprofit organizations and individuals that received city, county, state and federal funds alleges "significant internal control breaches" and "suspected fraud."

Report: Fort Pierce Community Services Department misused hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money
April 8, 2010

FORT PIERCE — A Fort Pierce official is accusing former Assistant Community Services Director Dorina Jenkins of violating state law and said he’s uncovered the misuse of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars, according to a March 23 memo sent to City Manager David Recor.

City’s spending audit begins
March 18, 2010

Auditors from Kessler International, a New York firm specializing in forensic and investigative services, arrived at Deerfield Beach City Hall last week to examine the expenditure of thousands of federal dollars.

Audit prompts city reorganization
March 4, 2010

FORT PIERCE - Weeks after an audit raised concerns about corruption, Fort Pierce this week reorganized the community services division and eliminated the jobs of three employees who were on administrative leave.

Cape Coral mayor says auditor has been contacted
March 4, 2010

Cape Coral Mayor John Sullivan says Michael Kessler, the man responsible for an audit almost four years ago that sparked controversy and division in the community, has been contacted about finishing that audit.

Auditor return splits Cape
March 3, 2010

The last time Michael Kessler was in Cape Coral, he kicked up a cloud of suspicion that still hangs over the massive utility expansion project.

Vote to bring back Cape Coral utility expansion auditor raises concerns
March 2, 2010

The last time Michael Kessler was in Cape Coral, he kicked up a cloud of suspicion that still hangs over the massive utility expansion project.

Cape council to get new member in two weeks
March 1, 2010

Cape Coral will have a new council member in two weeks. The council agreed Monday to appoint a replacement for Eric Grill at the March 15 meeting. Applicants who want the $16,000-per-year position can submit an application to the city clerk before March 10.

City Council votes to complete Kessler audit
March 1, 2010

Cape Coral City Council decided Monday night to complete the so-called "Kessler audit" at a price not to exceed $60,000 - but not without some controversy on the dais.

The San Diego County arrogance chronicles: chapter 4
February 27, 2010

Chapter 1 in the San Diego County Arrogance Chronicles was Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard saying it was "dangerous" and "silly" for a U-T reporter to ask about the propriety of his using government resources - his work e-mail newsletter - to rip a proposal on the June ballot to impose term limits on county supervisors. So what if this was in plain violation of clearly written state law - Ekard didn't care.

Cape mayor Sullivan faces concerned residents at town hall
February 27, 2010

High taxes and fees are squeezing the cash out of Cape Coral, Mayor John Sullivan said Saturday. During a two-hour town hall meeting at the Cape Coral Library, the mayor blamed high city tax salaries, excessive utility debt and bad management in the past for the city’s fiscal woes.

County issuing tax refunds
February 25, 2010

The 2,000 checks come three weeks after a critical audit

Treasurer's Departure Raises More Questions About Deerfield Beach Charity for Elderly
February 19, 2010

The former treasurer and vice president of the Deerfield Beach nonprofit group Arlington Park Family left that position after misgivings about the way the charity was spending the $30,000 it was given by the city.

County second-guessed auditor’s qualifications - Inquiries followed criticism of tax office
February 19, 2010

The credentials of an outside auditor from New York who discovered problems in San Diego County’s tax office were checked by county officials — but only after he submitted his report finding a failure to return $8 million to taxpayers.

Deerfield Beach City Manager Downplays Criminal Potential of Investigation
February 17, 2010

Any time public money goes missing in Broward County, we're conditioned to reach for our tomatoes and wait for a public official to do a perp walk. But Deerfield Beach interim city manager Burgess Hanson is trying to dampen that speculation in the weeks following an internal investigation into how the city's federal funds for housing were spent.

Deerfield Beach Hires Independent Auditor to Analyze Public Housing Programs
February 16, 2010

A few minutes ago, the Deerfield Beach City Commission voted to hire Kessler International, a forensic auditing firm that will try to find out how the city spent its federal housing dollars.

About 1,300 sign petition seeking to reinstate Fort Pierce Community Services Division
February 16, 2010

FORT PIERCE — More than a thousand residents want to see the temporarily closed Community Services Division back in business.

Auditors find fault in county tax office
February 6, 2010

$8 million in overpayments inappropriately withheld

Anthony Westbury: Big changes needed in Fort Pierce City Hall
February 6, 2010

“Today is about the future. We need to talk about the city’s and the community’s direction in the future.”

"Corrupt" city of Fort Pierce division could be renamed
February 5, 2010

FORT PIERCE — Since the city temporarily suspended the Community Services division after the negative results of a forensic audit, officials are beginning to work on restructuring and possibly renaming the division.

EXCLUSIVE: Tax collector still lags in paying refunds
February 4, 2010

Dan McAllister vows changes being implemented to correct years-old problem

Federal criminal investigation launched into allegations of corruption in Fort Pierce City Hall
February 4, 2010

FORT PIERCE — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has launched a criminal investigation into allegations of corruption in the city’s Community Services division, City Hall announced late Thursday.

Fort Pierce city manager shuts down Community Services division after allegations of corruption
February 2, 2010

FORT PIERCE - City Manager David Recor has shut down the Community Services division indefinitely after a forensic audit called the department “a corrupt organization” that mishandled state and federal housing dollars to benefit employees, friends and relatives.

Michael Goforth: Fort Pierce Commission must act decisively to end scandal
January 30, 2010

In a blog back in October, I wrote: There has been a rumor (not begun by me) that there may be some favoritism in giving housing loans by the Fort Pierce Community Services Department.

Editorial: Audit alleges serious failures in city housing programs
January 29, 2010

Corrupt. That’s the general assessment of the Community Services Department of the city of Fort Pierce as a result of a comprehensive audit.

Anthony Westbury: It's time to clean house at Fort Pierce City Hall
January 27, 2010

“How long has this been going on?” asks an old 1970s hit song, to which we must also add, “And who knew about it?”

Whistleblower who exposed allegations of corruption in Fort Pierce City Hall says she's being harrassed at work
January 27, 2010

FORT PIERCE — Assistant Finance Director Melissa Moore, who for the first time is publicly disclosing she was the “whistleblower” in exposing allegations of corruption in the Community Services Department, said she’s being harrassed at work for her actions.

Fort Pierce city manager to forward Community Services audit findings to authorities
January 26, 2010

FORT PIERCE City Manager David Recor said Tuesday he would refer the findings of a forensic audit accusing the Community Services Department of corruption to federal and state authorities to determine whether any criminal activity occurred by public employees or private citizens.

Audit: Fort Pierce department is "corrupt"
January 26, 2010

FORT PIERCE - An international firm hired to audit the city’s Community Services Department is recommending the city turn over its findings to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

Bending the Truth Can Break a Legal Career
January 8, 2010

It's a difficult economy and you're a job applicant looking for any edge. Better give a long second thought to padding that resume or fudging the truth on an application, especially if you're a lawyer.

Kessler International Listed in Beverly Hills Business Review
January 1, 2010

Kessler International was listed as a new member of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce in the Winter 2010 edition of their quarterly newsletter, the Beverly Hills Business Review.