Naples city employee fired after accusations of embezzlement, theft
Naples Stormwater Supervisor Fired amidst Embezzlement Allegations, Police Examination Underway
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NAPLES, Fla. — Former Naples Field stormwater Supervisor Jovan Stojisavljevic has been terminated following allegations of embezzlement, fraud, theft, and ethical violations. The city launched an internal investigation after unusual purchasing activity was flagged on city-issued cards assigned to employees under Stojisavljevic’s supervision.
The investigation, which began on October 1, 2024, uncovered a trail of unauthorized purchases, including knives, camping equipment, automotive tools, and other personal items, none of which were deemed necessary for city stormwater operations.
“he has violated about four different requirements of the Naples City Code of Ethics, at the minimum. Further than that, he has violated the law,” said Pamella Seay, a law and criminal justice professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Missing Items and Unsatisfactory Explanations
An initial inspection revealed missing items and unsatisfactory explanations from Stojisavljevic, who claimed some items had been “thrown away” or “returned for warranty work.” an anonymous letter, received by city council, the city manager, and the city’s finance director around the same time, further raised concerns.
Policy Violations and Audit Findings
The city’s Public Works and Finance Departments conducted a detailed audit, confirming that the purchases violated procurement policies established in 2018 and the purchasing card agreement Stojisavljevic signed in 2019. the audit highlighted several key violations:
Unauthorized Use: Stojisavljevic used purchasing cards issued to other employees.
Falsification: He misrepresented purchase records and failed to provide truthful explanations.
* Mismanagement of Public Funds: Items purchased were either missing or unrelated to city business.
“He has taken something that does not belong to him, so that’s theft.If they choose to press charges, and it’s very possible that they would. If it were in my city, I would,” Seay said.
Administrative Actions and Termination
on October 14, 2024, Stojisavljevic admitted to using cards assigned to other employees and returned them during a meeting wiht senior city officials.He was placed on paid administrative leave the following day. However, his refusal to cooperate during a November administrative hearing, citing the need for his attorney, prompted the city to place him on unpaid leave. Following a pre-disciplinary hearing on November 25,2024,city officials terminated his employment.
“The city of Naples did a phenomenal job in getting this done smoothly, efficiently, and quickly,” Seay said.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Since Stojisavljevic’s firing, the Naples Police Department has launched its own investigation into potential criminal activity.
“He is taking something that belongs to the city of Naples and taking it for his own use. That’s problematic.So unless there is a realistic clarification, a criminal investigation and certainly the possibility of arrest is in order,” Seay said.
NBC2 has repeatedly reached out to the Naples Police Department for updates on the investigation, but officials maintain it is indeed still ongoing.
“The law enforcement side has a lot more ammunition. They’ve got more tools in their tool belt.They are able to subpoena documents that might not be available to the city. They are going to be able to interview additional people that maybe the city could not. They also will be able to get warrants for searching for the property. They can go actually to the property of this gentleman and see if they can find that property. they have access to investigative tools that the city does not have. So it will be more extensive and will probably take a little more time,” Seay said.
NBC2 has been unable to reach former Stormwater Field Supervisor Jovan Stojisavljevic for comment.
Naples Stormwater Manager Fired After Misusing City Funds
Naples, FL – A former Naples stormwater manager is facing termination and potential criminal charges after an investigation revealed he misused city funds for personal purchases.
The investigation into Marko Stojisavljevic, former Stormwater Operations Manager, began on October 1, 2024, when city staff noticed unusual activity on purchasing cards assigned to employees under his supervision. A subsequent inspection uncovered missing items and unsatisfactory explanations from Stojisavljevic, who claimed items had been “thrown away” or “returned for warranty work.”
Adding to the suspicion, NBC2 received an anonymous letter around the same time, which was also sent to city council, the city manager, and the city’s finance director. The letter, provided to NBC2, raised concerns about Stojisavljevic’s spending habits.
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A subsequent audit by the city’s Public Works and Finance Departments confirmed that Stojisavljevic had made unauthorized purchases using cards assigned to other employees. the audit revealed purchases of knives, camping equipment, automotive tools, and other personal-use goods, none of which were accounted for or deemed necessary for city stormwater operations.
“He has violated about four different requirements of the city of Naples Code of Ethics, at the minimum. Further than that, he has violated the law,” said Pamella seay, a law and criminal justice professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Policy Violations and Audit Findings
The investigation highlighted several violations of Naples City Code, including:
Unauthorized Use: Stojisavljevic used purchasing cards issued to other employees other than himself.
Falsification: He misrepresented purchase records and failed to provide truthful explanations.
Mismanagement of Public Funds: Items purchased were either missing or unrelated to city business.
The audit confirmed that the purchases violated procurement policies established in 2018 and the purchasing card agreement Stojisavljevic signed in 2019.
“He has taken something that does not belong to him, so that’s theft. If they choose to press charges, and it’s very possible that they would. If it were in my city, I would,” Seay said.
Administrative Actions and Termination
On October 14, 2024, Stojisavljevic admitted to using cards assigned to other employees and returned them during a meeting with senior city officials. He was placed on paid administrative leave the following day.
However, his failure to cooperate during a November administrative hearing, citing the need for his attorney, prompted the city to place him on unpaid leave. Following a pre-disciplinary hearing on November 25,2024,city officials terminated his employment.
“The city of Naples did a phenomenal job in getting this done smoothly, efficiently, and quickly,” Seay said.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Since the termination, the Naples Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into Stojisavljevic’s actions. The investigation is ongoing,and no charges have been filed at this time.
Naples Police Investigate Former Employee Over Missing City Property
Naples, FL - The Naples Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into a former city employee suspected of taking city property for personal use. The investigation stems from the termination of Jovan Stojisavljevic, a former Stormwater Field Supervisor, on November 25th.
City officials have expressed concern over the missing property, with City Attorney Angélica M. Seay stating, “He is taking something that belongs to the city of Naples and taking it for his own use. That’s problematic. So unless there is a realistic explanation, a criminal investigation and certainly the possibility of arrest is in order.”
While the city has conducted its own internal investigation, Seay believes the police department’s involvement will be crucial in uncovering the truth. “The law enforcement side has a lot more ammunition,” she explained. “They’ve got more tools in their tool belt. They are able to subpoena documents that might not be available to the city. they are going to be able to interview additional people that maybe the city could not. They also will be able to get warrants for searching for the property.They can go actually to the property of this gentleman and see if they can find that property. They have access to investigative tools that the city does not have.So it will be more extensive and will probably take a little more time.”
NBC2 has repeatedly reached out to the Naples Police Department for updates on the investigation since late November, but officials maintain that the case is ongoing.
Attempts to reach stojisavljevic for comment have been unsuccessful.
Exclusive Interview: Professor analyzes Naples Stormwater Scandal
NewsDirect3.com – The firing of former Naples Stormwater Supervisor Jovan Stojisavljevic following allegations of embezzlement has sent shockwaves through the community. To better understand the gravity of the situation, NewsDirect3.com sat down with professor Pamella Seay, a law and criminal justice expert at Florida Gulf Coast University, for an exclusive interview.
Professor Seay sheds light on the potential legal ramifications Stojisavljevic faces, praising the city’s swift and decisive action.
NewsDirect3.com: Professor Seay, the allegations against Mr. Stojisavljevic are serious. Can you elaborate on the potential legal violations involved?
Professor Seay: Absolutely. Based on the data available,Mr. Stojisavljevic appears to have committed several offenses. Primarily, using city-issued purchasing cards for personal gain constitutes theft. Furthermore, his unauthorized use of other employees’ cards, falsifying purchase records, and misrepresenting his actions all point towards fraud.
NewsDirect3.com: The city uncovered unauthorized purchases of items like knives, camping equipment, and automotive tools. How notable is this type of evidence in a potential criminal case?
Professor Seay: Its highly significant. These purchases clearly demonstrate a pattern of personal enrichment using public funds. They directly violate the public trust placed in him as a city official.
NewsDirect3.com: We understand the Naples Police Department has launched a separate investigation. What advantages do they have in this case compared to the city’s internal audit?
Professor Seay: Law enforcement possesses powerful investigative tools that the city doesn’t have access to. They can issue subpoenas for documents, interview witnesses more extensively, and even obtain warrants to search Mr. Stojisavljevic’s property. This extensive approach will likely uncover more incriminating evidence.
NewsDirect3.com: The city terminated Stojisavljevic’s employment. Do you believe this action was justified?
Professor Seay: Absolutely. The city acted decisively and appropriately. They conducted a thorough investigation, confronted Mr. Stojisavljevic with the evidence, and took swift action to terminate his employment. This protects the city’s interests and sets a strong precedent against such misconduct.
NewsDirect3.com: What message does this case send to other public officials in Naples?
Professor Seay: This case serves as a stark reminder that abusing public funds has serious consequences. Naples has set a clear example that such misconduct will not be tolerated, and those who violate the public trust will be held accountable.
NewsDirect3.com: Professor Seay, thank you for sharing your expert analysis.
professor Seay: My pleasure. It’s critically importent for the public to understand the seriousness of these allegations.
NewsDirect3.com will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as they become available.