PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — A newly obtained internal review reveals that state investigators are examining whether taxpayer-funded payments to a Pembroke Park commissioner could constitute a criminal misuse of public funds, while town employees raised concerns internally and feared retaliation if they spoke out.
The March 2026 report states that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is reviewing the transactions for potential criminal violations, while the Broward County Office of Inspector General is examining the town’s administrative practices.
The findings expand on a Local 10 News investigation that first exposed a series of payments made to Commissioner William Hodgkins, uncovering new details about internal concerns, repayment issues, and how the transactions were handled.
According to the internal review, multiple employees questioned about the size and frequency of the payments. At least two employees raised concerns directly with the Human Resources Department, while others expressed fear of retaliation if they came forward.
The report also examined repayment of the funds. Of the $86,461.58 issued to Hodgkins, $16,799 had been repaid at the time the review was completed.
Repayment amounts were adjusted multiple times and, in some cases, were based on verbal agreements rather than formal written terms, according to the report.
The internal review found that Hodgkins received the payments between August 2024 and March 2026 through the town’s payroll system. It states that the first payment was processed as a traditional payroll advance tied to a future paycheck, but subsequent payments evolved into recurring, loan-like disbursements issued over time.
According to the report, no commission-approved policy authorizing loans or advances to elected officials was identified. “No formal policy has yet been identified for any payday advances or loans to Town officials,” the report states.
The review found that there were no formal repayment agreements, no standardized procedures governing how the payments were issued, and no defined limits on the amount or frequency of the transactions.
The internal review also identifies actions by Town Manager David Lynch. According to the report, in April 2025 the town manager authorized what is described as a “blanket approval,” allowing commissioners to receive advances without requiring additional approval from the finance department.
The report states that this directive was communicated by email and had the effect of removing internal controls designed to oversee such transactions.
The review also found inconsistencies in the documentation used to process the payments. According to the report, multiple versions of salary advance request forms were used during the period examined, and none were identified as having been approved by the town commission.
The report further states that descriptions of the forms as longstanding or routinely used were not supported by the records reviewed.
The internal review states that the practices “appear inconsistent with standard governmental internal-control principles” and warns they may pose a risk to the town’s financial integrity, noting that any final legal determinations should be made by counsel or an independent reviewer.
The report recommends that the town immediately cease all non-standard payroll disbursements, pursue formal recovery of outstanding funds, and implement clear policies governing any future compensation practices.
The internal review provides the most detailed account to date of how the payments were issued and managed as outside agencies continue their review.
Local 10 News has learned the Broward Office of Inspector General is also investigating.
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