PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has concluded its review into taxpayer-funded payments made to a Pembroke Park commissioner, finding no criminal charges will be filed.
In a letter dated April 15, an FDLE special agent states that the agency reviewed a complaint alleging misconduct and potential criminal conduct involving Commissioner William Hodgkins, Town Manager David Lynch and former Deputy Town Manager Chandler Williamson.
According to the letter, the FDLE consulted with the Broward State Attorney’s Office, which declined prosecution, stating there is no Florida statute that applies to the conduct described in the complaint.
The letter states the matter has been referred to the Broward County Office of Inspector General for further review and FDLE has closed its investigation.
Pembroke Park Mayor Geoffrey Jacobs responded publicly, criticizing the outcome and calling for further scrutiny.
In a Facebook post, Jacobs wrote that prosecutors declined to pursue charges “not because the conduct is acceptable, but because they claim it doesn’t fit a statute they’re willing to charge.” He cited Florida law regarding misuse of public position and described the payments as a “0% interest loan,” adding that “the public sees it for what it is.”
Jacobs also wrote that “public office is not a personal bank account for elected officials” and said the matter should be fully reviewed by the Broward County Office of Inspector General.
The developments come as a March internal review, obtained by Local 10 News, details how $86,461.58 in payments were issued to Hodgkins through the town’s payroll system.
A Local 10 News investigation first exposed the payments. The internal review expands on those findings, outlining internal concerns, repayment issues, and a lack of formal oversight.
According to the report, multiple employees questioned the size and frequency of the payments. At least two employees raised concerns with the Human Resources Department, while others expressed fear of retaliation if they came forward.
The review also examined repayment of the funds. According to the report, $16,799 had been repaid toward the $86,461.58 issued to Hodgkins at the time the review was completed.
The report states that repayment amounts were adjusted multiple times and, in some cases, were based on verbal agreements rather than formal written terms.
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 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. It notes 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 the Broward County Office of Inspector General continues its review.
Read the letter:
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