TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced Wednesday that the state’s Division of Investigative and Forensic Services made 1,219 fraud-related arrests during the past fiscal year, resulting in millions of dollars in recoveries for consumers and insurers.
The arrests stemmed from investigations into insurance fraud, workers’ compensation fraud, financial crimes and other offenses handled by the Florida Department of Financial Services, according to the agency.
“Every arrest we make is another promise kept,” Ingoglia said. “I will not let fraudsters get away with their schemes in Florida.”
The totals were supplied by the department and have not been independently audited by The Florida Pundit.
Insurance and Arson Bureaus Account for 978 Arrests
According to the Department of Financial Services announcement, the Bureau of Insurance Fraud made 634 arrests during Ingoglia’s first year.
The Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives made another 344 arrests.
Together, those two bureaus accounted for 978 of the 1,219 arrests reported by the department. Tuesday’s announcement did not provide a bureau-by-bureau breakdown for the remaining 241 arrests.
CID investigates suspected insurance fraud, workers’ compensation fraud, public-assistance fraud, arson and other financial crimes falling under the department’s jurisdiction.
An arrest represents an accusation and does not establish guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.
Public-Assistance Cases Totaled $8 Million
The Bureau of Public Assistance Fraud separately referred 322 cases involving approximately $8 million for criminal prosecution, according to the department.
Prosecution referrals are not the same as arrests or convictions. The release did not specify how many of those referrals resulted in filed charges, guilty pleas or convictions.
In June, The Florida Pundit reported that state investigators identified more than $806,000 in public-assistance fraud cases during May. That monthly enforcement action included 12 arrests involving approximately $487,728 and 48 additional cases resulting in administrative penalties.
The department also announced a major case in May involving an individual accused of using stolen business identities to obtain more than $2.8 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds.
Release Leaves Questions About Restitution Total
DFS attributed $38 million in restitution to its first-year enforcement results but did not explain how much of that amount had been ordered by courts, collected by the state or paid to victims and government programs.
The announcement also did not provide a case-level list of the 1,219 arrests or a comparison with the number of arrests made during the preceding 12 months.
Those details would be needed to determine how the current totals compare with previous years and how many cases have produced final criminal judgments.
The Florida Pundit has requested or will seek additional information from DFS regarding the restitution calculation, case outcomes and the arrests not included in the two-bureau breakdown.
Sheriffs Praise State Partnerships
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and Putnam County Sheriff Homer “Gator” DeLoach praised Ingoglia’s cooperation with local law-enforcement agencies.
Cordero-Stutz said partnerships between state leaders and local deputies help strengthen public-safety efforts. Judd credited Ingoglia with supporting law enforcement and helping bring defendants to justice.
The statements did not identify specific cases or joint operations included in the first-year totals.
Ingoglia Marks First Year as Florida CFO
Ingoglia was sworn in July 21, 2025, after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to replace Jimmy Patronis, who left the Cabinet after winning election to Congress.
During his first year, Ingoglia has emphasized fraud enforcement, audits and scrutiny of local-government spending. His office previously identified what it described as more than $470 million in excessive Miami-Dade County spending.
Ingoglia is now seeking election to a full term as CFO. He enters the 2026 campaign with a substantial fundraising advantage over his opponents.
Residents can report suspected insurance, public-assistance and other financial fraud through the state’s Fraud Free Florida program.
Sources
- Florida Department of Financial Services — First-year fraud and law-enforcement results
- Florida Department of Financial Services — $2.8 million public-assistance fraud case
- Florida Department of Financial Services — Fraud Free Florida
Related Coverage
- Blaise Ingoglia Announces $806,000 in Florida Public-Assistance Fraud Cases
- Ingoglia Identifies $470 Million in “Wasteful Spending” in Miami-Dade Budget
- Blaise Ingoglia Dominates Early Fundraising in Florida CFO Race
- Legislative Leaders Back Ingoglia, Simpson and Uthmeier
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The post Florida CFO Reports 1,219 Fraud Arrests, Millions Recovered for Victims appeared first on The Florida Pundit.
