69D-1.003. Reward Criteria

(1) A reward and reward criteria under the Anti-Fraud Reward Program shall be:

(a) $25,000 for a qualifying arrest of a case involving alleged fraud valued at $5,000,000 or more;

(b) $10,000 for a qualifying arrest of a case involving alleged fraud valued at $1,000,000 or more but less than $5,000,000;

(c) $5,000 for a qualifying arrest of a case involving alleged fraud valued at $500,000 or more but less than $1,000,000;

(d) $2,500 for a qualifying arrest of a case involving alleged fraud valued at $100,000 or more but less than $500,000;

(e) $1,000 for a qualifying arrest of a case involving alleged fraud valued at $25,000 or more but less than $100,000;

(f) $500 for a qualifying arrest of a case involving alleged fraud valued at $5,000 or more but less than $25,000; or

(g) $250 for a qualifying arrest of a case involving alleged fraud valued at $5,000 or less.

(2) Actual monetary loss in a case is not required for an applicant to receive a reward.

(3) A reward under the Anti-Fraud Reward Program will be limited:

(a) to the extent of appropriation; and

(b) as provided in section 626.9892, F.S.

(4) Only a single reward amount will be granted, per investigation, provided that the case qualifies for a reward pursuant to the criteria in Rule 69D-1.003, F.A.C. Additionally, this amount may be divided among multiple Anti-Fraud Reward Applicants where applicable.

(5) A reward may only be given if information was submitted by an applicant to the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services on or after October 1, 1999, and such information led to the arrest and conviction of a person who committed a complex or organized crime investigated by the Division arising from a violation of Section 440.105, 624.15, 626.9541, 626.989, 790.164, 790.165, 790.166, 806.031, 806.10, 806.111, 817.233, or 817.234, F.S. In determining the amount of the reward to be awarded, the Department will consider the factors in subsections 69D-1.003(7) and (8), F.A.C.

(6) Conviction as used in this rule means a judicial finding of guilt; a judicial finding of guilt in which adjudication is withheld; judicial acceptance of a negotiated plea; or judicial acceptance of a nolo contendere plea.

(7) A “Complex Case” for the purposes of this rule is defined as any case investigated by the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services that involves one or more of the following characteristics:

(a) Multiple defendants – five or more.

(b) Criminal activity occurring in more than one jurisdiction, whether or not the case is accepted by the Statewide Prosecutor or U.S. Attorney.

(c) Aggregate value of loss over $250,000.

(d) Records which require substantial analysis.

(e) Multiple victims or witnesses, including instances where investigators other than the lead investigator take witness statements.

(f) Specialized undercover investigations that take longer than one month.

(g) Task force activity involving other law enforcement agencies.

(h) Federal criminal charges.

(i) Insolvency investigation.

(j) Unauthorized entity investigation.

(8) “Organized Crime” for the purposes of this rule is defined as a systematic, on-going course of criminal conduct with intent to defraud one or more persons, and involving at least two incidents resulting in violations of the listed offenses in subsection 69D-1.003(8), F.A.C.

(9) Subject to the reward process and criteria identified in Rule 69D-1.003, F.A.C., rewards shall be paid pursuant to the following schedule:

(a) A reward of up to $25,000 will be granted for information leading to a conviction arising from a violation of an applicable criminal statute when the case is valued at $1,000,000 or more.

(b) A reward of up to $10,000 will be granted for information leading to a conviction arising from a violation of an applicable criminal statute when the case is valued at $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000.

(c) A reward of up to $5,000 will be granted for information leading to a conviction arising from a violation of an applicable criminal statute when the case is valued at $20,000 or more but less than $100,000.

(d) A reward of up to $1,000 will be granted for information leading to a conviction arising from a violation of an applicable criminal statute when the case is valued at $20,000 or less but more than $5,000.

(e) A reward of up to $500 will be granted for information leading to a conviction arising from a violation of an applicable criminal statute when the case is valued at $5,000 or less.

(f) $250,000 has been allocated to pay rewards. In the event the allocated $250,000 has been distributed, no further rewards shall be granted.

(10) Actual monetary loss in a case is not required for an applicant to receive a reward, but in such cases the appraised value of the property involved will be a relevant factor.

Rulemaking Authority 624.308, 626.9892 FS. Law Implemented 624.307, 626.9892 FS. History–New 6-6-05, Amended 11-13-08, 3-27-17, 7-28-24.