Miami-Dade County officials are investigating millions of dollars in alleged overtime overpayments inside one of the largest jail systems in the United States. According to reporting from WSVN, hundreds of Corrections employees were paid for overtime hours they never worked. This raises new questions about accountability, transparency, and how taxpayer dollars are being protected.
District 3 County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, who has repeatedly raised red flags about the department’s spending, did not mince words.
“Corrections Department has a lot of issues with cost. They have a lot of issues,” Hardemon said during an October commission meeting. “I’ve been on the floor and seen Corrections officers asleep. I know what it means to support law enforcement. But I also know what it means when people hide behind the badge. And so I’ve seen behavior in the department that is unbecoming.”
In a written statement to WSVN, Miami-Dade Corrections said it is “aware of this matter and a full internal affairs investigation is underway.” The department stated it is “committed to full transparency [and] accountability,” and promised that “any misconduct will face appropriate disciplinary action.”
According to WSVN, county payroll documents shows just how widespread the overtime issue may be. Records list 587 employees — some appearing multiple times — who collectively received more than $4 million in overtime pay they did not earn. The overpayments range from as little as $63 to more than $31,000 for one Corrections corporal.
According to WSVN sources, employees reportedly submitted overtime claims and were paid for hours they never actually worked. County records show more than $2.8 million of the overpayments have already been recouped. The department is allowing employees to repay the money through payroll deductions. Hy-Lo News will continue to monitor this investigation and report updates as they become available.
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