ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — 9 Investigates looked into whether Orange County leaders actually live in the communities they represent after one commissioner lost her home to foreclosure.
Commissioner Victoria Siplin lost her condo to foreclosure, but said she still lives in her district.
Eyewitness News found that there aren't many checks in place to verify the residence of elected officials.
"We have no sort of investigative authority over address residency of an individual," Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles said.
Cowles said staff advises candidates of residency rules and makes sure they're registered to vote, but that there are no rules requiring officials to update their address if they move while in office.
Cowles told Channel 9 that a majority of the residency process relies on good faith of the candidates.
Court records showed a bank foreclosed on the home of Siplin, who also has unpaid taxes.
Siplin wouldn't give an address to confirm her district.
"The definition of residency is one of the things that is a political football that's been kicked around a lot but has not been defined," Cowles said.
Cowles said residents can challenge and elected official's residency in court, but that it can be a lengthy and costly process.
Siplin said she's always resided in her district while she's been in office and that her current address would be listed in the next round of financial reporting documents.