Jacksonville is the 10th-largest city in the U.S. in population with more than 7,000 employees and a $9 billion operating budget.
“A lot of tax dollars and a lot of federal funding go through this city. There has to be oversight – someone who is independent and above the fray who is looking at things through a nonpartisan, nonpolitical perspective and making sure tax dollars are being spent appropriately,” city of Jacksonville Inspector General Matthew Lascell said.
The Office of Inspector General is an independent office established under the city’s charter and Chapter 602 of the city’s ordinance code.
In 2014, City Council expanded the authority of the OIG to include the city’s constitutional offices and independent authorities. The OIG is designed to work with the Office of the Mayor, City Council, government officials and employees and the citizens of Duval County to enhance effectiveness and efficiency within the consolidated government.
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he office conducts investigations following the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation standards. It conducts its audit function according to the Institute of Internal Auditor’s International Professional Practices Framework.
Lascell and the staff maintain professional memberships and participate in training with the Association of Inspectors General, Association of Local Government Auditors, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Association of Local Government Auditors, International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, and others.
The office’s 2024-25 budget is $1.61 million, up 4.6% from the previous year.
A former special agent and inspector general with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Lascell became the city’s IG in 2022.
With offices in the Yates Building Downtown, Lascell’s staff comprises two deputy inspector generals, one specializing in investigation and one specializing in audits, four investigators, a senior program coordinator, a contract oversight specialist, an auditor, an investigative support analyst and an executive assistant.
“The amount of records we are required to go through is extensive. We research policies and the genesis of policies and how policies are applied. It takes a lot of time,” Lascell said.
The process is based on the “if you see something, say something” concept, Lascell said.
Complaints and tips for investigations are accepted from all sources, identified or anonymous, in-person, online, orally or in writing.
“You can write it on a napkin and slip it under the door and we’ll look into it if it’s worth looking into,” Lascell said.
In 2024, the office received 78 tips from sources. Thirty-eight investigations were conducted and nine reports were published.
In addition to reviewing documents – sometimes boxes full of records – OIG also takes sworn testimony from witnesses.
“We videotape our interviews unless the person being interviewed objects. We don’t force them, but we audiotape everything,” Lascell said.
After a matter is thoroughly investigated, OIG issues a formal report.
If deficiencies are found, the report includes suggestions for improving policies or procedures.
Lascell said the majority of issues his office looks at come under the definition of “misfeasance” rather than “malfeasance.”
“Folks get in the habit of doing things the same way for years. Processes can sometimes be circumvented, not for any nefarious purpose, it’s just how they do business instead of the way it should have been done. ”
While OIG has the authority to investigate any aspect of or office within city government, it does not have unlimited authority.
“I don’t have the authority to make anybody do anything. We make recommendations. I usually consult with the office we are working with because I don’t want to make a recommendation that’s not practical,” Lascell said.
“Sometimes, we do an investigation that doesn’t merit a formal report. We go to the affected agency and say, ‘Hey, this is what’s going on and here’s the fix,’ and we are done with it.”
If an allegation could be considered a criminal matter, Lascell turns it over to the State Attorney’s Office or the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal matters.
”There has to be somebody to keep people on their toes and make sure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing,” Lascell said.
“There are rules and regulations and policies to follow and we are going to make sure that you do.”