Gainesville Police Department charges officer for timesheet fraud (2024)

A Gainesville police officer was recently charged with scheming to defraud and obtain property after he allegedly falsified his work timesheet dozens of times between January and July 6.

According to an Eighth Judicial Circuit complaint obtained by Mainstreet Daily News, GPD confronted Maurquice Miller, 31, about more than 25 instances of time clocked but not worked.

Miller was paid approximately $3,222 for the incorrect hours—nearly 120 total—input on his timesheet. According to Florida statute 839.13, it is a felony to falsify records by a public officer and employees.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Miller hung up when he was asked to comment on the complaint.

The following is a narrative of recent events, according to the complaint:

On June 27, the Gainesville Police Department (GPD), “was made aware that [Miller] was suspected of having falsified his work timesheets. [His supervisor] was given an initial internal complaint that identified several instances of [Miller’s] work time entries not being in line with his work computer log in/log off times.”

An investigation, which reviewed Miller’s timesheets from January through July 6, 2024, found the timesheet entries did not match the computer log in/log off times in more than 25 instances.

On July 11, GPD interviewed Miller. After being read his Miranda rights, he was confronted about the timesheet discrepancies. Miller said he could not explain the discrepancies. He was given two specific dates, July 5 and July 6, which showed he worked 15-hour shifts, but Miller admitted he did not work the 15-hour days.

“[Miller] said that he made mistakes, but it wasn’t intentional,” the complaint said. “He also acknowledged that what he was doing was wrong. [Miller] was asked as to why he didn’t just work the overtime he documented on his timesheets. [He] answered that he began to get exhausted, making mistakes and falling asleep at work. [He] said that he messed up and at times thought about changing his times to reflect correctly but never did.”

The complaint noted that GPD uses a timesheet on the workday program that reads, “I acknowledge my hours to be true and accurate, and comply with the company time reporting guidelines. I authorize payroll to use these hours for payment.”

GPD spokesperson Brandon Hatzel told Mainstreet the department is conducting an internal affairs investigation into the allegations.

“We take all allegations of misconduct seriously, and the officer in question has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” Hatzel said. “In addition to the internal affairs investigation, there is an open criminal investigation into the same matter.”

Editor’s note: Miller was referred to as Morris in parts of the story. This has been corrected.