Three face felony charges for CDL fraud scheme in Florida

Three people were arrested in connection with an alleged scheme to allow employees to bypass Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) testing requirements, Florida officials say.

On August 25, Florida officials announced that Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department employees Matthew Howard, Jr. and Keith Garrod Jones were each charged with Official Misconduct, a third-degree felony, and Unlawful Compensation or Reward for Official Behavior, a second-degree felony.

Miami-Dade County Tax Collector employee Vanessa Erika Roberts was charged with two counts of Official Misconduct and two counts of Unlawful Compensation or Reward for Official Behavior, according to the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office (MDCTCO).

Officials allege that Howard and Jones failed to pass CDL knowledge and skills examinations and then paid Roberts to bypass those requirements.

Roberts is accused of falsely processing license applications for Howard and Jones as out-of-state CDL transfers in Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles systems.

“This process, commonly called reciprocity, recognizes valid credentials issued by another state and can waive otherwise required testing. Investigators allege neither employee qualified for that treatment,” MDCTCO said.

“When I took office, I made clear that protecting the integrity of this office and restoring public trust would be a priority,” said Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez. “When wrongdoing is uncovered, we act. Anyone who abuses public authority for personal gain must be held accountable.”

“A Commercial Driver License must certify that the person behind the wheel has satisfied the requirements to operate large commercial vehicles safely,” Fernandez continued. “Bypassing those safeguards undermines the licensing process and puts everyone on our roads at risk.”

Roberts is no longer employed by the MDCTCO.

The investigation remains active.

Investigating agencies include the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office, the Miami-Dade County Office of the Inspector General, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.