WINK Investigates Reporter Olivia Jean
•9/2/2026
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (WINK) — The Town of Fort Myers Beach has hired CliftonLarsonAllen LLP to conduct a forensic investigation into concerns involving four specific grants — with two senior town employees now on paid administrative leave.
WINK Investigates first broke the news that the town's independent review involved four grants. Now, a newly obtained contract provides the clearest picture yet of what investigators have been hired to examine.
The agreement, dated Aug. 28, describes the work as: “a forensic investigation of certain grants and contract administration of those grants.”
The contract says CliftonLarsonAllen, also known as CLA, will provide forensic accounting and investigative services and outlines the concerns and issues investigators have been hired to examine.
The four grants under investigation
The contract, obtained by WINK Investigates, identifies the four grants involved in the investigation as:
Until now, the Town of Fort Myers Beach had confirmed the review involved four grants but had not publicly identified them.
What investigators have been hired to examine
According to the contract, the investigation involves concerns internally identified by town management during the completion of an internal audit relating to the management of certain grants and contracts.
The agreement says investigators will work to determine the underlying causes of those concerns and evaluate whether any issues resulted from:
The contract does not state that any of those actions occurred. Rather, those are among the issues the forensic investigation has been hired to evaluate.
The town had previously told WINK Investigates the concerns were identified during a routine review of grants, contracts and expenditures as part of the budget process.
The agreement also leaves open the possibility that the investigation could expand. If CLA identifies potential concerns involving contracts, grants or other funding sources beyond the four specifically identified in the agreement, the firm is expected to notify the Town Manager.
The Town Manager would then determine whether expanding the scope of the investigation is warranted.
Two senior employees on paid leave
The investigation has already led to two senior town employees being placed on paid administrative leave:
The town has described the leave as precautionary, not disciplinary. Officials have said no final determination about the employees' futures will be made until the review is complete.
How much will the investigation cost?
The contract does not establish a lump-sum or not-to-exceed price for the investigation. Instead, compensation is to be negotiated through supplemental task authorizations.
The agreement lists hourly rates including:
The agreement also allows for certain additional direct expenses and fees.
WINK Investigates is working to determine how much the town expects the forensic investigation to cost taxpayers and whether the town has authorized a maximum amount for the work.
Town previously estimated a four-week investigation
The Town of Fort Myers Beach previously told WINK News it expected the investigation itself to take approximately four weeks, although officials said that timeline could change if additional information required further examination.
The agreement with CLA remains in effect for six months and includes an option to extend the contract for additional monthly periods until the project is complete.
The town has said it plans to hold a public town hall after the review is complete, where Town Manager Will McKannay will present the findings and answer questions from residents.
A date for that meeting has not yet been announced.
