TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced the arrest of six individuals who defrauded the Florida taxpayers. These individuals orchestrated a scheme to process property damage claims through the Florida Division of Risk Management, allegedly defrauding the state of $1.7 million. The Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (CID) arrested these individuals, and all state agencies are fully cooperating with the investigation. Additional arrests in this case are expected to be made in the coming weeks, and CID encourages any individuals involved to voluntarily come forward.

Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said, “Let me be crystal clear: If you steal from Florida taxpayers, you will go to jail. Our Criminal Investigations Division investigators are working hard to put bad actors behind bars and hold fraudsters accountable.  As CFO, I will not allow waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars to be left unchecked, and I will pursue any criminal attempting to steal from the taxpayers to the fullest extent of the law.”

Briana McCarthy, a former employee of the Department of Financial Services, led the operation and processed over 220 suspicious property damage claims, resulting in $1.7 million in fraudulent payouts. She is 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.

Brianna Hannan, a former employee of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, has been charged with Grand Theft.

Carlotta Hawkins, a former employee of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, has been charged with Grand Theft and Cash Deposit Bank Item with Intent to Defraud.

Kearia Walker has been charged with Grand Theft.

Whitney Branch has been charged with Grand Theft and Cash Deposit Bank Item with Intent to Defraud.

Kavon Reese has been charged with Grand Theft.