Holding the Powerful to Account. #DefendDemocracy
FLCGA Investigation Update: State finds Broward water district broke laws and stymied competition as it handed out millions in public contracts
A public utility in northwest Broward County violated state law while doling out nearly $70 million in public contracts, according to...
FLCGA in the News
On the heels of high-profile wins, a government transparency effort seeks to expand its reach
On the heels of high-profile wins, a government transparency effort seeks to expand its reach by Anne Geggis Sarasota-based Florida Center for Government Accountability launches 'Defenders of Democracy' campaign. Ghost candidates, migrant flights’ secrecy, and...
Manatee Sheriff’s Office recommends charges for former administrator Scott Hopes
Melissa Pérez-Carrillo and Gabriela Szymanowska Sarasota Herald-Tribune The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has recommended charges for former Manatee County administrator Scott Hopes. The Sheriff’s Office received multiple complaints about Hopes in February,...
Column | Open government shouldn’t take lawyers
A former state lawmaker’s fight for COVID-19 data illustrates the ways government all too often keeps public information private, our Capitol Columnist writes. By Bill Cotterell Gov. Ron DeSantis holding a news conference about COVID-19 treatments at a Florida...
Collier Commissioner McDaniel sued for failing to release 350,000 private emails he used for county business, taxpayers to foot the bill
Collier County Commissioner Bill McDaniel has apparently been conducting a lot of county business on his personal email account – and...
The Sheriff and the Fraudster: Lee County’s top cop won’t answer questions about his association with a crooked campaign donor
On paper, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno and alleged serial swindler Malek Khalil line up as natural adversaries, not friends. ...
A high-rolling sheriff? Lee County’s top cop discloses $458,879 in “gambling income” from casino
When Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno needs to unwind, he likes to gamble – and his financial disclosure forms indicate it’s been...
Sacred Scheme: How Florida Taxpayers Fund A Christian Campaign Aimed At Pregnant Women
When a pregnant woman walks into the state-subsidized Pregnancy Help and Information Center (PHI) in Tallahassee for help, she’ll...
Collier commissioner caught in election deception cites Bible verse as defense
An investigation by the Florida Elections Commission found that Collier County Commissioner Chris Hall violated the state's election...
Is the world’s largest military service dog charity raising money on a heartwarming misrepresentation?
It’s a straight-to-the-heart motto that has helped non-profit K9’s For Warriors raise more than $130 million from donors: “We rescue...
Public Access Initiatives
Records request: City of Sarasota Planning Board
Records request #2_Sarasota Planning Bd_
Records Request: Manatee County
Records Request: New College
RE_ Records request 02.24.2023_New College
Records Request: New College, Robert Allen
Records request 02.23.2023_New College
Citizens for Government Accountability/
Southwest Florida
Citizens for Government Accountability/SW Florida, an FLCGA affiliate, is a non-partisan government watchdog organization dedicated to fostering and promoting government accountability and transparency in Southwest Florida. FLCGA and CGA/SWFL collaborate on investigating, reporting, publishing and promoting issues relating to government accountability and transparency and on public record requests critical to the investigative process. Read more…