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Using the Ethics Hotline, individuals can anonymously report potential incidents of fraud, waste, abuse or ethical violations that involve potential detriment to the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller office of Palm Beach County. This includes but is not limited to the following list:

Violations of federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations
Misappropriation of government resources
Gross mismanagement
Gross waste of public money
Gross abuse of authority

For incidents of fraud, waste, abuse or ethical misconduct involving Palm Beach County government under the Board of County Commissioners and each of the 39 municipalities, please contact the Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General (877-OIG-TIPS). You may also refer to our list of additional resources to contact.

How to File a Report

Online*: Create a report now on an independent reporting Web site.
Phone*: Dial 1-888-WARN-PBC.
Mail: Division of Inspector General, 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

*You will be asked to create a secure username and password with Ethical Advocate, a third party reporting agency. This allows you to anonymously check the status of your report later.

Contact

Ethics Hotline
Create Online Report
888-WARN-PBC

FAQs

Why does the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office have an Ethics Hotline?

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office has an organization-wide commitment to ethics, integrity and protecting public funds. While regular audits and strict internal controls are essential tools that are built into how we do business, research shows that fraud is most likely detected through an anonymous tip. Organizations that provide a way to report incidents, such as a hotline, reduce losses and discover fraud and other violations more quickly than those without a hotline. It’s also considered an effective deterrent to fraud, waste, abuse and ethical misconduct.
Why is the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office using Ethical Advocate, a third-party reporting service?

Research shows that anonymous hotlines, like the Clerk’s Ethics Hotline, are the most frequently used and most effective way for an organization to find out about fraud, waste, abuse or other violations. As an independent, third-party reporting service, Ethical Advocate ensures anonymity with state-of-the-art security and encryption. It also allows for follow-up and anonymous two-way communication between the person filing the report and those evaluating the incident.

Many other hotlines are one-way only, unless the filer provides their contact information. Those wishing to file a report can do so 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This is important because research shows that nearly 50 percent of reports are initiated after regular business hours. Ethical Advocate also accepts reports in multiple languages.
Who should use the Ethics Hotline?

Any individual may report any instances of fraud, waste, abuse or ethical misconduct of which they have knowledge or have witnessed.

Please refer to our list of additional resources.
What should I report?

Individuals are encouraged to report to the Ethics Hotline evidence of fraud, waste, abuse or ethical misconduct to the detriment or potential detriment of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's office of Palm Beach County. This includes, but is not limited to: violations of federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations; misappropriation of government resources; gross mismanagement; gross waste of public money; or gross abuse of authority (see examples below).
What is fraud?
Fraud refers to an intentional deception or misrepresentation by a person with the knowledge that the deception could result in some unauthorized benefit to him/her or some other person.

Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Personal use of government-owned vehicles, supplies or equipment
- Violations of procurement policy
- Submitting false vouchers for reimbursements
- Soliciting or accepting a bribe or a kickback
- Intentionally misrepresenting the costs of goods or services provided
- Falsification of official documents (timesheets, leave reports, travel vouchers, financial records, etc.)
- Conducting personal business on Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller time
- Misappropriation of funds, supplies, etc.
- Theft or misappropriation of funds, supplies, property, or other resources
- Forgery or alteration of financial documents or computer files
- Pursuit of a financial benefit or advantage in violation of conflict of interest policies
- Profiting by self or others as a result of inside knowledge
What is waste?
Waste refers to the unintentional, thoughtless or careless expenditure, consumption, mismanagement, use or squandering of government resources to the detriment or potential detriment of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's office of Palm Beach County. Waste also includes unnecessary incurring of costs as a result of inefficient practices, systems or controls.

Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Purchase of unneeded supplies or equipment
- Purchase of goods at inflated prices
- Failure to reuse or recycle major resources or reduce waste generation
What is abuse?

Abuse is the intentional, wrongful, or improper use or destruction of government resources, or seriously improper practice that does not involve prosecutable fraud. Abuse can include the excessive or improper use of an employee or official's position in a manner other than its rightful or legal use. Abuse can occur in financial or non-financial settings.
What is considered ethical misconduct?

Ethical misconduct refers to instances when public officials and government employees conduct their duties in a manner which is not impartial; use their public office for personal gain; or when their private interests are in conflict with their public duties.

Detailed information regarding the State's code of ethics for public officers and employees can be found in Florida Statute Chapter 112.
What should NOT be reported to the Ethics Hotline?

The Ethics Hotline should not be used for general complaints, suggestions, or personnel issues.

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller employees are encouraged to use one of various options at their disposal for personnel issues, including talking to a supervisor, contacting Human Resources or e-mailing SuggestionConnection.

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller employees should communicate violations of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Anti-Harassment Policy to their supervisor or Human Resources representative. This includes any forms of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, military status, or any other legally protected status. The Anti-Harassment Policy, outlined in Administrative Policy 98-2 and the Employee Handbook, includes procedures for filing a formal complaint.

In addition, threats of workplace violence, emergencies or situations in which the public’s health and safety are at risk should be reported immediately to management and the appropriate law enforcement agency or 911.

For issues not described on this page, please refer to additional resources listing.
How do I report a possible instance of fraud, waste, abuse or ethical misconduct?
You have several options. You can report an issue online or by calling 1-888-WARN-PBC. Both options utilize Ethical Advocate, a third-party and independent reporting service that allows you to remain anonymous, check the status of your report and more. You may also report an issue directly to the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller (see below).
- Mail: Division of Inspector General, 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

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