Last week, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, released a much-anticipated report on an investigation concerning the county government. The report stated there was no criminal wrongdoing and they would not seek prosecution against two top-level officials.

However, earlier this week, Commissioner Kevin Beckner, who initiated the original investigation, Commissioner Beckner acted alone to seek criminal charges although other commissioners felt it was more of a policy violation.

In a telephone interview, Commissioner Beckner said, “There are issues throughout the report concerning administrative procedures and behavior that I think need to be addressed to close out this issue.

“There are many facts that are so glaring that not to discuss them would be negligent on my part as an elected official.”

Commissioner Beckner further stated that a copy of the 250-page FDLE report has been provided to all of the commissioners and he wants them to review the facts and, “Determine if any administrative wrongdoing has taken place. And what if any actions should be taken. That would be the discussion of the board.”

The discussion has not been placed on the Commissioners’ agenda yet. When asked if any further action would be considered double jeopardy, Commissioner Beckner stated that both employees were placed on paid leave and that would be another issue that the board would discuss. However, Ms. Bean’s employment still needs to be closed out.

“It’s not anything personal or race-based, but I have to consider my responsibility as an elected official,” he said.

Last March, Hillsborough County Commissioner Beckner requested the FDLE conduct an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing. Administrator Pat Bean and County Attorney Renee Lee were the primary targets of the investigation.

The status of raises without the approval of the board, that Ms. Bean and Attorney Lee received were brought into question. Both women repaid the funds after it became an issue. They were also accused of reading e-mails linked to the investigation.

Last Friday, the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office released the findings of that probe. The investigation revealed no wrongdoing. Both FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office had conducted independent investigations.

The report stated that although questionable judgement was used pertaining to the raises, no criminal acts had been committed.

On March 23, 2010, the Commissioners voted to suspend both Attorney Lee and Administrator Bean with pay pending outcome of the investigation. In June, as the end of the 90-day suspension drew near, the board voted 6-1 to fire Administrator Bean, and 5-2 (with Beckner and Sharpe voting no) to allow Attorney Lee to return to work.