TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Pressured, Zephyrhills Police Chief Resigns

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

  Russell Barnes

  Rob Perrault

ZEPHYRHILLS - Police Chief Russell Barnes resigned Tuesday, a day after an internal investigation concluded he had falsified payroll records. Barnes, 55, submitted his letter of resignation less than an hour before city council members were to consider firing him, as recommended by City Manager Steve Spina.

In his resignation letter to Spina, Barnes denied he had falsified records for Sgt. Robert Perrault Jr., the department's former spokesman and head of internal affairs, or attempted to cover up payroll discrepancies in the department.

"My resignation is not intended, nor should it be taken, as an admission of any kind to the allegations," Barnes wrote.

Barnes and Perrault were put on paid leave July 29 after a complaint was filed against them. That prompted officials in this small east Pasco County city to launch an investigation.

Perrault, who resigned Aug. 8, was accused of "double-dipping" - claiming to have been working for the city when he was teaching criminal justice classes at Pasco-Hernando Community College and being paid by the college.

A similar complaint was filed in August 2007. Barnes investigated the complaint and concluded it was unfounded.

According to the city's investigation, conducted by police Sgt. Jeffrey McDougal, Barnes did not adequately investigate the complaint. Instead, Barnes created a log documenting so-called "flex time" Perrault used to justify claiming the hours on the clock for both the city and college. The hours in question added up to more than $2,000.

But the city has no such policy on its books, and Spina said Perrault was the only employee in the police department allowed to bank the flex hours. According to records, he had racked up more than 140 hours at one point.

In his resignation letter, Perrault denied any wrongdoing and said his decision to leave the city after nine years was not related to the investigation. He has been offered a job teaching criminal justice classes at Zephyrhills High School, he said.

Perrault says the use of flex time is widespread in the police department as a means to reduce overhead costs.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 948-4216 or cwade

@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT