Florida CFO Warns Local Governments Over Data Scrubbing Before State Audits

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Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has issued a stern warning to local governments accused of deleting or altering records ahead of state Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) audits. Speaking outside Jacksonville City Hall on Thursday, Ingoglia said multiple insiders from local governments have reported that officials are “scrubbing” documents and removing key information to obstruct audits.

Ingoglia declined to specify which cities or counties were involved but confirmed that meetings have been held with the express purpose of removing potentially incriminating data from public records. “Some of these actions include deleting certain keywords from documents to make electronic searches more difficult,” Ingoglia explained.

When asked about the scope of the alleged data tampering, Ingoglia said the investigations are ongoing and that the public will be informed as findings develop. “We often receive tips from people inside local governments or affiliated organizations suggesting where auditors should focus,” he said.

Ingoglia made clear that attempts to hide spending or scrub information from government servers will face serious consequences. “We will subpoena any entity that tries to obstruct this process,” he said. “If necessary, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s digital forensics team will investigate who is responsible, and criminal referrals will be made.”

The Florida Department of Government Efficiency audits follow a model initiated at the federal level during President Donald Trump’s administration, supported by oversight figures including billionaire Elon Musk. DOGE audits have been launched in several Florida jurisdictions, including St. Petersburg, Broward County, Gainesville, Miami-Dade County, Manatee County, Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Orange County, and the State University System.

“We have heard these allegations from numerous sources,” Ingoglia said. “The concerns are serious enough that we are dedicating resources to investigate fully.”

Earlier this week, the agency underwent a partial rebranding, now also known as the Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight, or FAFO. Ingoglia acknowledged some initial hesitation over the acronym’s reputation but emphasized its message: “Fool around and find out. Those who try to cover up wrongdoing will face consequences.”

In Jacksonville, tensions surfaced this week between Ingoglia and Mayor Donna Deegan over access to city financial records. The CFO made clear that the audits are not optional and that bureaucratic delays will not be tolerated. “Our audits are outlined by law,” Ingoglia said. “There is no negotiation when protecting taxpayer dollars from waste, fraud, and abuse.”

Miami-Dade County also faced pressure as state officials requested documents with a nine-day deadline. Despite a request from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava for a 30-day extension, the state refused, underscoring its commitment to swift oversight.

These developments signal a tougher approach from the state toward fiscal transparency at the local level, with the CFO’s office showing zero tolerance for any attempts to undermine audit processes.