HAMPTON, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance from the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Jane Hall, 59, for one count of organized scheme to defraud. Hall is the former Hampton, Fla. city clerk.
FDLE Agents began investigating Hall in February 2014 after an audit by Florida’s Auditor General. From 2010 to 2013, Hall went months without depositing customer payments into the city’s water fund account. During the same time period, Hall and her staff failed to consistently provide customer receipts to citizens paying their water bills. Investigators believe that from 2010 to 2013 more than $19,000 went missing from the water fund.
The investigation shows Hall cashed some paychecks out of the water fund payment bag. Hall also told auditors and coworkers that she could not cash her paychecks for several months because of insufficient funds in Hampton’s general fund. However, the investigation shows the general fund account had the necessary funds for payroll. Hall would eventually issue replacement checks to herself which amounted in double payments of nearly $3,000.
Hall was arrested this morning at her residence and was booked into the Bradford County Jail on a $35,000 bond. This case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 8th Judicial Circuit.
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Molly Best or Steve Arthur
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001