Audit Report on The Missing LDWF Equipment

Report-PDF

When your job is to catch 66 fish per month the only reason you buy 225 rods and reels 25 Yeti coolers is so that you can steal them at the end of the program. Between Jan 2011 and Oct 2013, these knuckleheads only met the 66 fish requirement 4 times.
Some highlights

The program required them to collect 66 samples per month. 36 samples of reef fish (ie snapper) and 30 of pelagics .

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We examined LDWF transactions for the Venice team and determined that from December 4, 2010, through August 8, 2014, LDWF spent at least $3,050,085 to obtain 1,091 fish tissue samples ($2,796 per fish) from the Gulf of Mexico

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$345,641 for Fishing and Water Sports Equipment: During the program, Venice team members purchased an abundance of fishing and water sports equipment including the following: 225 rods and reels, 25 YETI ® coolers, spear guns, scuba gear, a paddle board, and several binoculars. The number of rods, reels, coolers , and other items purchased appears to be disproportionate to the number of fish caught (1,091) and users (one team, usually consisting of three to five people) at any given time. For example, 225 rods and reels were used to catch 1,091 fish, or 4.8 fish per rod and reel.

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$187,086 for Vehicles: LDWF purchased three new trucks totaling $85,478 and a recreational vehicle (RV) , depicted below, with a purchase price of $89,860 for Mr. Newman and the Venice team’s use. Venice team employees also made purchases on their state credit cards totaling $11,748 for vehicle repair s, maintenance, and parts. According to LDWF records, t he RV was used by one team member in late 2011 and throughout 2012 (while the camp was also being leased). The three trucks appear to have been used by Mr. Newman, Ms. Savoy , and LDWF Marine Operator Kyle Smith, all of whom worked exclusively for the program with one another.

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$26,237 for Cameras , Computers, and Other Electronics : LDWF purchased cameras and camera equipment totaling $18,219. Neither LDWF’s progra m protocol nor the BP MOU require d photos to be submitted with tissue samples.

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Property totaling at leas t $ 54,957 was purchased with LDWF funds by the Venice team fro m September 2010 through October 2013 that is no longer in LDWF’s possession. These items included rods and reels (more than one hundred), Y ETI ® coolers, and other sporting equipment.

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