Grand Theft Of Millions In Red Light Camera Program Says Trooper

Retired Trooper Says Official Misconduct In Red Light Camera Programs

MONTICELLO, FL. -- A retired Florida Highway Patrol trooper is filing a complaint with the Florida Attorney General office today about alleged crimes encountered in Florida's red light camera (RLC) program in Florida, a program designed to prevent intersection crashes, and incidentally raising millions for the state and local communities in fines.

Paul Henry, of Monticello, Florida says according to an annual analysis, the Division of Motor Vehicles reported nearly one million notices of violation for fiscal year 2012, which runs from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, with about 985,000 being paid.

At the state receives $83 out of the $158 fine, this would be over $81 million, says Henry. But he says the Department of Revenue reported the state receiving only about $51 million during this same time period. $78 of each fine goes to the local community who sponsors the red light camera system.

Henry say either of one of two possible crimes are being committed to explain the missing millions of dollars. He says either public officials are committing the offense of Grand Theft by stealing public funds, or public officials are committing the offense of Official Misconduct by falsifying records by inflating the number of violations issued for an official document.

Henry also says he has proof that the cameras are not preventing intersection crashes, alleging that the red light camera programs around the state are just money generating machines and not a pubic safety feature at all.

Henry said, "The red light camera program here as elsewhere generates millions of dollars annually. When millions of dollars are at stake, the opportunity for corruption increases, so public scrutiny must likewise increase."

He said one red light camera system vendor Redflex was involved in an illegal bribery scandal in Chicago and elsewhere that resulted in the resignations of the CEO and several high ranking company employees as one indication that the red light program needs closer monitoring by Florida officials.

Henry's Complaint To the Florida Attorney General