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Putnam audit uncovers fraud in FL energy office programs

Sascha Cordner

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam revealed Tuesday that his office has uncovered two companies trying to defraud taxpayers of millions of dollars in energy grant money. Putnam called for an audit of the Office of Energy, after the Legislature last year placed the office under his purview.

Putnam blames past administrations, especially the Crist administration, for the mismanagement of funds and absence of leadership, which he says led to the stolen $2.5 million.

“It is a larger issue than just the previous administration, but all the money showed up under the previous administration.  So, that’s what exacerbated the absence of leadership," said Putnam. "I mean you can cover up a lot of sins, when they were only managing several million dollars. When they got $200-million, suddenly, the stakes were much higher and the risks were much greater, but the management philosophy hadn’t changed.”

Because the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are currently investigating the issue, the names of the companies are not available at this time. The Office of Energy manages several grant and solar rebate programs that funds about 220-million dollars to different Florida energy projects.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.