COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – A former records supervisor with Columbia County has been arrested and charged in an alleged multi-year fraud involving tax deed sales, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has announced.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), it arrested Karina M. Vercher, 60, of Lake City, on one felony count of scheme to defraud and three felony counts of official misconduct.
In June 2021, the Columbia County Clerk of Courts identified discrepancies associated with tax deed sales and requested a criminal investigation, the FDLE said in its statement. Vercher previously worked as a records supervisor for the Clerk of Courts, the FDLE said.
Agents audited past tax deed sales in Columbia County and allegedly identified 46 transactions where Vercher either altered tax deed records by recording a reduced sale price or by reducing the fees associated with the tax deed sale. In almost every occurrence, the discrepancy correlated with the amount of cash collected by Vercher from the winning bidder of the corresponding tax deed sale as a deposit, the FDLE said.
The investigation revealed numerous cash deposits made into Vercher’s personal bank account occurring either on the same day or the day after tax deeds were sold that were determined to have a discrepancy, the FDLE said. Agents also identified multiple instances where Vercher reportedly appeared to physically alter tax deed documents to disguise the price discrepancies.
Investigators say Vercher defrauded Columbia County of approximately $27,600 in total.
“The Columbia County Clerk’s Office remains committed to the highest standard of integrity and public trust, and this unfortunate situation does not represent the character or values of this office,” said James M. Swisher, Jr., Columbia County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller.
“If anyone has specific questions or concerns about their tax deed purchase, I would encourage them to contact the Clerk’s Office.”
Vercher was booked into the Columbia County Jail Thursday on $55,000 bond. The State Attorney’s Office, Eighth Judicial Circuit, will prosecute the case.
