Financial Crimes Intelligence Center

A move by the Smith County Commissioners Court means a remodel is coming soon for a statewide financial crimes center that operates in Tyler.

The Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) is a statewide fusion center coordinating with law enforcement investigations into financial crimes, according to the county. It is located in downtown Tyler, where the Smith County District Attorney’s office oversees daily operations.

The center — the first of its kind in the nation — was created by House Bill 2106 in the 87th Legislature. Now, the state has increased funding for FCIC to expand its facilities and create more job opportunities. On Tuesday, the county commissioners authorized the purchasing director to advertise and receive bids for the project.

“They are doing great things in the state and nationwide when combating financial crimes,” said Thomas Wilson, Smith County assistant district attorney.

In its first two years of operation, the center has prevented $171.5 million in monetary losses due to fraud in its first two years of operation, according to a statement provided last month from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The center also has recovered 445 credit card skimmers and 5,574 fraudulent credit cards, according to the TDLR.

“When TDLR, Smith County, law enforcement and members of the Texas Legislature began discussing the need for a unit like the FCIC, we never dreamed that it would make the impact it has in such a short time,” Brian E. Francis, interim executive director of the TDLR, said last month. “This remarkable achievement shows the power of all of us working together to protect the people of Texas.”

The FCIC must create space in its current building to accommodate growth, according to Smith County.

The state will provide funding for remodeling the garage into usable space. No Smith County funds will be used for the remodel.

The county has expansion in mind as the beginning stages of the new courthouse start.

Other business

Five properties set to be demolished to make way for the new courthouse have asbestos issues.

“Those properties need to be abated before we can proceed to the demo phase,” Purchasing Director Jaye Latch said.

The court approved the abatements.

The court also approved purchasing equipment for the sheriff’s office from Cowboy Concealment.

The court also approved notices for pipe and utility line installation at the following locations:

County Road 2290, Jackson Water Supply Corporation, road bore for service, Precinct 2,

CR 4141, Charter-Spectrum, install pole and underground cable, Precinct 3,

CR 417, Charter-Spectrum, install pole and underground cable, Precinct 4,

CR 419, Charter-Spectrum, install pole and underground cable, Precinct 4,

County Roads 431, 477, 479, 480, 481, 482, 4119 and 4211, Charter-Spectrum, install pole and underground cable, Precinct 3,

County Roads 437 and 438, install aerial and underground cable, Precinct 3,

CR 455, Charter-Spectrum, install aerial cable, Precinct 3: and

County Roads 452, 456, 455, 484 and 4171, Charter-Spectrum, install aerial and

underground cable, Precinct 3.