New corruption czar is already making a difference

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Four weeks into the job and Palm Beach County's new corruption czar is already making a difference. Sheryl Steckler was hired to help the county clean up after 5 elected leaders were sent to federal prison since 2006.

Steckler, a former Inspector General for the Florida Department of Children & Families, has already sent 3 cases to the State Attorney's office to determine if criminal charges will be filed.

"Sometimes you have an employee that did something that doesn't make sense and they were trying to cut corners or it could be criminal activity, we're seeing both and both are getting handled, "Steckler said.

While she will not divulge details of any working case, Steckler believes the county's corruption problem will, likely, get worse before it gets better.

"I expect there to be more prosecutions in this county for employees who do the wrong thing and break the law."

The Palm Beach County Inspector General is a position born after 3 County Commissioners and 2 West Palm Beach council members were sent to federal prison for corruption. The Office only handles cases involving county government employees and county commissioners.

You can  send a tip to the Inspector General about fraud, waste and corruption in County government.