Office of the Chief Inspector General

Melinda Miguel
Chief Inspector General
850 / 922-4637
850 / 921-0817 (fax)

The Office of the Chief Inspector General was created in Section 14.32, Florida Statutes, effective October 1, 1994. This office has the responsibility for promoting accountability, integrity, and efficiency in state government. The Chief Inspector General has responsibility for monitoring the activities of the Offices of Inspectors General in the state agencies that are under the jurisdiction of the Governor. The Chief Inspector General also serves in accordance with 20.055, Florida Statutes, as the agency Inspector General for the Office of the Governor. The Chief Inspector General reports directly to the Governor both administratively and functionally.

Within the Office of Chief Inspector General, there are two distinct functions: audits and investigations.

The audit function is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve the Office of the Governor’s operations or operations funded by the Office of the Governor. In carrying out the audit responsibillities, the Chief Inspector General reviews and evaluates internal controls to ensure fiscal accountability of the agency. Audits are conducted in accordance with professional auditing standards.

In carrying out the investigative duties, the Chief Inspector General initiates, conducts, supervises, and coordinates investigations designed to detect, deter, prevent, and eradicate fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct, and other abuses in government.

The Chief Inspector General also coordinates the activities of the Whistle-blower’s Act pursuant to Sections 112.3187-112.31895, Florida Statutes, including maintenance of the Whistle-Blower’s Hotline (800) 543-5353.

Local governmental entities may be subject to oversight by the Governor in the event certain conditions are met as outlined in Sections 218.50-218.504, Florida Statutes that constitute a financial emergency. The Chief Inspector General has been designated by the Governor to administer this responsibility.

The Chief Inspector General also has the responsibility for 1) advising public-private partnerships as defined in Section 14.2105, Florida Statutes, in their development, utilization, and improvement of internal control measures necessary to ensure fiscal accountability; 2) conducting audits relating to the programs and operations of public-private partnerships; 3) receiving and investigating complaints of fraud, abuses, and deficiencies relating to programs and operations of public-private partnerships; and 4) monitoring public-private partnerships for compliance with the terms and conditions of contracts with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and report noncompliance to the Governor.

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