TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Commissioner seeks Bean raise inquiry

Staff file photo by JOSEPH BROWN III

Commissioner Mark Sharpe says he will push to have County Administrator Pat Bean fired if the investigation shows Bean violated the law or county regulations.

ADVERTISEMENT

By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: October 15, 2009

TAMPA - County Commissioner Mark Sharpe says he plans to call for an independent investigation of a 1 percent pay raise that County Administrator Pat Bean approved for herself two years ago.

Sharpe, one of Bean's harshest critics on the commission, said he will make a motion for the external probe at next Wednesday's commission meeting. He suggested the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court's office could handle the investigation, but said he will leave that decision to the full commission.

If the investigation shows Bean violated the law or county regulations, Sharpe said he will push to have her fired.

"I think it qualifies for removal," Sharpe said Wednesday afternoon. "I don't say this flippantly, but it solidifies a feeling I've had that we need new direction, new leadership in these challenging times."

Bean could not be reached for comment.

A report by the county's internal performance auditor last month revealed Bean approved pay raises for 10 senior-level employees, including herself and County Attorney Renee Lee. Bean said she was nominated for the raise because of her efforts to reduce county expenditures, but she didn't know who nominated her. Lee provided a legal opinion that the raises were appropriate.

The auditor's report did not find that Bean or Lee had violated county regulations or the county charter.

On Monday, Dover community activist George Niemann said he has filed complaints with the state ethics commission over Bean and Lee's pay raises. The ethics commission will not comment on the complaints until a probable cause hearing determines whether they should be investigated.

State law says it is illegal for public officers or public employees to "corruptly use or attempt to use their official position ... to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption for themselves or another."

The statutes defines "corruptly" as "done with a wrongful intent and for the purpose of obtaining or compensating ... any benefit resulting from some act or omission of a public servant which is inconsistent with the proper performance of his or her public duties."

County commissioners Jim Norman and Kevin Beckner said they support Sharpe's efforts to find out how the raises were given and whether they violated county rules or state law. But Norman said he might be inclined to wait until the Ethics Commission finishes its probe.

Beckner, however, said he thinks Sharpe is on the right track.

"This issue has been a cloud over our organization that needs to be addressed so we can move forward with addressing the pressing issues of the county," he said.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT