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Florida State Employee Arrested in Massive $1.7 Million Fraud Scheme
A former Florida Department of Financial Services employee has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating an elaborate fraud scheme that cost state agencies nearly $2 million over a three-year period, according to authorities.
Briana McCarthy, who worked as a Risk Management Program Specialist, was taken into custody following an extensive investigation that revealed she had approved 224 suspicious property damage claims between 2021 and 2024. Many of these claims were filed by individuals with whom McCarthy had personal connections.
The fraud operation involved a systematic exploitation of state systems, with McCarthy allegedly altering documents and recruiting others to participate in the scheme. According to arrest papers, she used files from both the Department of Transportation and Department of Risk Management to modify information and create false claims.
Investigators discovered numerous irregularities that raised red flags. More than 200 of the suspicious claims processed by McCarthy lacked required documentation. Nearly 80 claimants did not have vehicles registered in Florida at the time of their alleged incidents, and 45 either had no Florida driver’s license or did not own a vehicle in the state. In 23 cases, authorities found altered vehicle registrations had been submitted.
The investigation also revealed that McCarthy processed claims with unusual speed compared to standard procedures. While her average processing time for legitimate claims was 62 days, arrest documents indicate that 48 fraudulent claims were approved the same day they were received – an anomaly that eventually drew attention from supervisors.
During a search of McCarthy’s workspace, investigators discovered suspected falsified documents, including altered vehicle registrations, stored in her desk. These materials appear to have been part of her operation to facilitate fraudulent payouts.
The scheme represents one of the largest cases of internal fraud within a Florida state agency in recent years. The Florida Department of Financial Services, which ironically is tasked with protecting the state from financial malfeasance, now finds itself at the center of a significant scandal involving one of its own employees.
State fraud investigators determined that McCarthy’s actions resulted in approximately $1.7 million being fraudulently disbursed from state funds. The case highlights vulnerabilities in oversight systems meant to protect taxpayer dollars from improper claims.
McCarthy now faces a substantial list of charges including grand theft, aggravated white collar crime, money laundering, scheme to defraud, criminal use of personal identification information, solicitation and conspiracy, communications fraud with intent to obtain property, official misconduct, uttering, and forgery.
The case raises serious questions about internal controls within state agencies that handle financial claims. Government watchdogs have long warned about the potential for fraud in claims processing departments where individual employees may have significant authority to approve payouts with limited oversight.
The Florida Department of Financial Services has not yet released a statement regarding McCarthy’s arrest or what measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. The department will likely conduct an internal review to identify procedural weaknesses that allowed such extensive fraud to occur undetected for several years.
McCarthy’s case is part of a troubling trend of public employee fraud cases nationwide. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, government and public administration entities remain vulnerable to fraud schemes, particularly those involving falsified claims and documentation.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to determine if additional individuals will face charges for participation in the scheme. McCarthy is currently being held in custody as she awaits further legal proceedings.
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14 Comments
It’s appalling to see a government employee exploiting their position to orchestrate such a large-scale fraud scheme. Taxpayers deserve to have confidence that their money is being used responsibly and for legitimate purposes.
You’re right, this case highlights the need for stronger internal controls and oversight. Hopefully the authorities can recover as much of the stolen funds as possible and send a clear message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.
This is a troubling case of fraud and abuse of power. As a taxpayer, it’s concerning to see public funds being siphoned off through fraudulent claims. I hope the investigation leads to full restitution and appropriate punishment.
Absolutely. Fraud like this undermines the integrity of government programs and erodes public trust. Robust safeguards and auditing procedures are essential to prevent this kind of abuse in the future.
It’s disheartening to see public officials abusing their positions of trust for personal gain. This kind of fraud erodes confidence in government and diverts critical resources away from where they’re needed most.
Agreed, this case highlights the importance of strong oversight and accountability measures. Hopefully the authorities can send a clear message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.
This is a prime example of why we need stronger fraud prevention measures, especially when it comes to government programs. It’s disheartening to see a public servant take advantage of their position in this way.
Absolutely. This kind of fraud erodes public trust and diverts resources away from legitimate needs. Rigorous auditing and verification processes are crucial to catch these issues early.
This is a concerning story. Fraudulent claims can have a real impact on taxpayers and legitimate claimants. I hope the authorities are able to recover as much of the stolen funds as possible.
Absolutely, fraud like this undermines the entire system. Proper controls and auditing procedures need to be in place to prevent this kind of abuse in the future.
Wow, this is a massive fraud scheme. It’s shocking that a state employee could abuse their position to orchestrate such a large-scale operation involving hundreds of fraudulent claims. Hopefully the authorities can recover as much of the $1.7 million as possible.
Agreed, it’s really concerning to see this level of abuse of public funds. Proper oversight and controls need to be in place to prevent such fraud from happening in the first place.
While it’s good that the authorities were able to uncover this fraud scheme, it’s disappointing to see the scale of the abuse. I hope the full details come to light and that the perpetrator is held accountable.
Agreed, transparency and accountability are essential. Hopefully this case serves as a wake-up call for stronger anti-fraud measures and better oversight of government programs.