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Former Pasco Deputy Says Firing Broke The Law

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By TODD LESKANIC

tleskanic@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - A Pasco County sheriff's deputy fired last month after an investigation found he was slacking on the job is asking a judge to reinstate him.

Edward Tucker, a 10-year veteran of the department, filed a petition Monday in Pasco Circuit Court. He contends the sheriff's office failed to follow the correct procedures before firing him Jan. 23.

Port Richey attorney Kerry O'Connor, who represents Tucker, couldn't be reached for comment Monday. Kevin Doll, a spokesman for Sheriff Bob White, said White "believes he followed the correct procedure and will contest it in court."

The sheriff's office said it began an internal investigation of Tucker in May after detectives noticed peculiar patterns in his work. He was accused of 48 counts of misconduct, including 45 counts of falsifying documents, two counts of failing to take suitable actions and one count of failing to properly carry out duties.
Detectives also found Tucker had documented incorrect times when handling civil process calls. In other cases, he claimed to be on a call when he was actually hanging out at a west Pasco cafe or elsewhere, according to reports.

When investigators asked about the discrepancies, Tucker said he was a poor record-keeper. He said taking breaks during his shifts sometimes distracted him from properly reporting his whereabouts.

In his petition, however, Tucker contends sheriff's office officials broke the law because they failed to inform him of their proposed disciplinary action. Tucker only became aware of the action when he received a letter from White saying he was fired, according to the petition.

Tucker also contends sheriff's investigators violated the law because they should have informed him of their proposed disciplinary action within 180 days. Nearly 250 days passed between the start of the internal investigation and Tucker's firing, according to the petition.

Tucker, 30, also has appealed his firing to the sheriff's office Career Services Board and a hearing is scheduled for March 17, Doll said.

No hearing date has been set for the court petition.

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (727) 815-1084.

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