Inspectors with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested FDLE government operations consultant John Leland Goelz on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud. Investigators believe Goelz, in his capacity as the agency’s mobile device consultant, purchased cell phones for himself and his family using FDLE’s mobile device contract.
FDLE began investigating Goelz after a member reported not being able to get an older cell phone upgraded. As part of its mobile device contract, FDLE is eligible for a certain number of mobile device upgrades at discounted rates each year. Goelz purchased 10 mobile devices for his personal use that should have been used to upgrade FDLE member phones. By using FDLE’s contract, he was able to receive steep discounts on the phones he purchased. The value lost to the agency was nearly $5,000.
FDLE is in the process of upgrading its procedures to ensure no changes are made regarding FDLE mobile phones without supervisory oversight. Goelz, who was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Leon County Jail, is in the process of being terminated from FDLE.
The Office of the State Attorney, 2nd Judicial Circuit will prosecute this case.