Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia announced the arrest of seven more individuals allegedly connected in a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud the state.
The announcement follows the initial arrest of former state employee of Briana McCarthy in February by the Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (CID) for allegedly processing fraudulent claims for several family members and acquaintances totaling 1.7 million.
The arrests include 14 former state employees.
McCarthy was charged with grand theft, aggravated white-collar crime, money laundering, scheme to defraud, criminal use of personal identification information, communications fraud, official misconduct, and forgery at the time.
"Defrauding the state and abusing taxpayer dollars is dead on arrival in Florida," Ingoglia said. "As my investigators continue to pull the threads on this scheme, there is no safe haven for these criminals and every person involved will be brought to justice. We have already made arrests of more than 30 individuals in this case and we will not stop until justice is served.”
According to the release, the following were arrested:
- Tyler Frison - charged with organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and cashing an item with intent to defraud.
- D’Andrea Campbell-Friso - charged with organized scheme to defraud and grand theft.
- Deidra Campbell - charged with grand theft and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Khadijah Campbell - charged with grand theft and cashing an item with intent to defraud.
- Mona Wood - charged with grand theft and cashing an item with intent to defraud.
- Jennifer Young - charged with organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and cashing an item with intent to defraud.
All the defendants were booked into the Leon County Jail in August. They face a range of 10 to 15 years in prison if convicted.
- Jacoby Wood - charged with grand theft, cashing an item with intent to defraud, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Wood was booked into the Polk County Sheriff's Office in August. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted.
