Madok Pulls a Gentile - Claims to be CPA When Applying to Clerk's Office

Does it Again in 2010 in Application to Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District....ahh, no biggie.

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 8, 2012

Kevin Madok, candidate for Clerk of Courts (and my opponent), used the title CPA next to his name, and listed under licenses, "CPA - State of California," when applying to the Clerk's Office in 2004.  Only problem is, he wasn't a CPA.  According to California he only was a CPA from 1988 - 1990, and his license is canceled.

Madok used the same title again in 2010 when he applied to the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District, where the field was narrowed to himself and Sal Zappulla.  Zappulla got the job.
Maybe KLWTD does a better job at vetting credentials than the Clerk's Office...or the School District for that matter, when considering what happened with Ken Gentile recently.  (See here.)

The screen shots below are from his application to the Clerk's Office in 2004.  (Full application here.)

However, here is a screen shot from the California Board of Accountancy. 

Madok has also claimed repeatedly during the campaign and on his website that he was a CPA at KPMG Peat Marwick, one of the world's largest accounting firms.  That is a prestigious claim.  Again, the only problem is, he wasn't.  The dates he worked at KPMG were before he actually became a CPA while at a bank.

This all speaks to credibility.  Madok applied for his current position under false pretense.  He was compared to other candidates that may have been honest about their credentials, and is compensated, by us the taxpayers, for credentials that do not exist. 

During the course of this campaign I have frequently discussed issues where I think the Clerk's Office can be improved, or where there are shortcomings.  My discussion has been muted in the press because Madok speaks with an air of authority as he works for the Clerk, and is given credibility for his responses that down play my concerns.

Our land records are a mess, and Madok flip flops on the issue. (See Here)  There are better alternatives than closing the Courts on Friday afternoons. (See Here) The Clerk's Office is behind others on e-filing, and we can provide better access to records online.  (See Here)  The shortcomings in inventory accountability are as a direct result of Kevin Madok's shortcomings.  (See Here)  (Watch video here.)  Our investments are in shambles as we are heavily invested in GSE's that are being bailed out by the Federal Government. (See here)  Worse yet we were buying and still hold Federal Home Loan Bank bonds at the pinnacle of time when they were heavily providing unsecured loans to European Banks on financial watchlists because of their over-exposure to Greek sovereign debt.  Yes, Monroe County is indirectly invested in Greece, and a counter-party to the risk!

Madok likes to suggest that I am off base on these details, and the press won't look past his word as they consider it gospel.  Now we know what his word is worth.  As the press still won't cover these stories in detail, including Madok's CPA claims...there is cause for concern.   Great concern. 

UPDATE:  Below is the Florida Statute that would suggest this is a first degree misdemeanor...and yes, 473.3141 would also require him to have an active license in a State that matches Florida's standards.

But according to Kevin on US1 Radio, Kevin checked around with "other CPAs" and he thinks it's fine.  Maybe he should have referred to State Statute, something he has such a great affinity for citing.

473.322 Prohibitions; penalties.—

(1) A person may not knowingly:

(a) Practice public accounting unless the person is a certified public accountant or a public accountant;

(b) Assume or use the titles or designations “certified public accountant” or “public accountant” or the abbreviation “C.P.A.” or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviations, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that the person holds a license to practice public accounting under this chapter or the laws of any other state, territory, or foreign jurisdiction, unless the person holds an active license under this chapter or has the practice privileges pursuant to s. 473.3141;

(c) Perform or offer to perform any services described in s. 473.302(8)(a) unless such person holds an active license under this chapter and is a licensed audit firm, provides such services through a licensed audit firm, or complies with ss. 473.3101 and 473.3141. This paragraph does not prohibit the performance by persons other than certified public accountants of other services involving the use of accounting skills, including the preparation of tax returns and the preparation of financial statements without expression of opinion thereon;

(d) Present as her or his own the license of another;

(e) Give false or forged evidence to the board or a member thereof;

(f) Use or attempt to use a public accounting license that has been suspended, revoked, or placed on inactive or delinquent status;

(g) Employ unlicensed persons to practice public accounting; or

(h) Conceal information relative to violations of this chapter.

(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

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Paid for by Matt Gardi, Republican, for Clerk of Courts