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The launch of the state’s CONNECT unemployment website in October of 2013 could only be described as a famous flop.  As Matt Galka tells us, almost a year and a half later, lawmakers are digging into the results of an audit, and still have concerns.

Florida’s CONNECT unemployment website debut in 2013 was anything but smooth.  Numerous problems caused delays for thousands of Floridians depending on temporary unemployment benefits.

“The department has previously informed the legislature that the CONNECT implementation did not go as hoped for,” said Audit Supervisor Chris Gohlke before he presented the findings to a joint legislative committee.

A state audit of the system between February and June of 2014 was not kind.  Multiple findings included security lapses and performance issues that amounted to withholding some people’s benefits, and fraudulently paying others. The audit also questioned if the requirement of Social Security Numbers broke state law.

The Department of Economic Opportunity deflected the findings.

“Many of the audit findings are now stale. During and since the audit period, much work has successfully been done,” said Tom Clendenning with DEO.

The state began fining the system’s vendor Deloitte when the problems first occurred. That rang up a bill of 8 million bucks…the state still owes them $7 million for work that needed to be redone.

The audit caused some lawmakers to question whether or not the DEO rushed the system out too quickly.

“There is a good case for that, if you look at the dates upon completion, the rollout, and the subsequent findings of issues and problems. I think the key to this is having a timely audit,” said Rep. Dan Raulerson (R-Plant City).

Sen. Audrey Gibson said the findings couldn’t accurately account for the toll the problems took on Floridians.

“We don’t know how many people may have been evicted, or may have had their lights turned off, we have no idea of what that looks like, and I don’t think we want to be in that place again,” she said.

The website will end up costing the state around $14 million more dollars than originally estimated.