Clewiston probe may take time as records reviewed following raids, sheriff's office says

CLEWISTON, Fla. —

In October 2025, Hendry County deputies raided Clewiston City Hall to remove numerous items in connection with reports of concerning business practices.

Just over a month after deputies raided Clewiston City Hall, the Hendry County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at the city's Building Department. According to HCSO, the second raid was a direct follow-up to the City Hall raid.

The sheriff's office posted a statement about its investigation on its Facebook page on Thursday. HCSO said in part that detectives have been going through thousands of documents, including emails and texts, that were extracted from computers and cellphones.

The sheriff's office also stated that this investigation involves a "white-collar crime," which is nonviolent in nature and could lead to financial gain and sometimes requires investigators to take much longer to solve.

The full statement reads as follows:

"We recognize that the residents of Clewiston want resolve, information and answers regarding the 2025 Investigation that was initiated after receiving complaints concerning business practices within Clewiston City Hall.

"After Detectives were granted the Search Warrant by a Judge, they responded for the first time and removed a substantial amount of items in October of 2025. This investigation and information discovered during this time led to another search warrant at the Building and Zoning Office in November 2025.

"Our Investigators are having to go through thousands of documents, to include emails and text messages that have been extracted from computers and cell phones; they also must continue to thoroughly investigate other crimes that occur within the county and investigate these crimes in a manner that they are successfully prosecuted for these victims as well.

"This Investigation involves white collar crime, that is nonviolent in nature and may lead to financial gain or a particular business advantage. Sometimes these investigations take much longer to solve.

"We are working closely with the State Attorney’s Office.

"The thoroughness of this investigation is being done in the best interest of the residents of the City of Clewiston as well as city leaders.

"We continue to work diligently to bring closure to this, we understand the public wants and deserves that."

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