Florida Keys News - Key West Citizen
Friday, August 24, 2012
Grand jury calls for firing county's top 2 in iPad thefts
BY TIMOTHY O'HARA Citizen Staff
tohara@keysnews.com

A Monroe County grand jury has called for the dismissal of the county's top two employees because of errors in judgment and not doing enough to monitor the former head of the county's Technical Services Department, who is accused of stealing and selling county-owned iPads and iPhones.

For the complete article, please pick up a copy of The Citizen for this day or purchase this day's electronic edition at http://secure.floridakeys.com/keysnews/enews. Home Delivery & Electronic Edition subscibers to The Citizen may access this article, once logged in to keysnews.com, at no charge. If you forget your password, please call us at 305-292-7777, ext. 4.
Share your thoughts and opinions related to this posting. Login or register to post comments. More Info

ARE YOU KIDDING

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 9:29pm by FKeys
Murphy and Carruthers doesnt think the two top Administrators in the County should be fired?!?!?!? Only in the Keys do crooks and thieves get to keep their jobs and pension! Start writing the Governor people, the County needs a clean sweep including the commissioners!

Obviously most posters haven't read the report

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 2:40pm by ===
If you had you would know 1) that David Rice did nothing wrong, so quit saying he did, and 2) That to prosecute anyone other than Lisa would require proof that they knew it was stolen property and that would require using her as a witness, a witness who has repeatedly lied about the involvement and knowledge of the others (while admitting he own guilt). It will be very interesting to see how the commission acts on this. Since in recent years it has become abundantly clear that the word "honor" means nothing in our local government or politics, we can not expect that any of the players will do the "honorable" thing and simply resign. Really Roman,you couldn't afford a retail iphone? Do you think you can possibly be an effective administrator now? Why haven't you quit already? I guarantee no one will quit and if a majority of the Commission does muster the balls to do the right thing and fire him, Roman will get his golden parachute.

Private Purchase Through The County Is a Breach Of Public Trust

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:19pm by Fletch

Irrespective of price, the purchase of goods for private use through the county is a breach of the public trust ... why would you do something so obviously wrong? ... give me any good or honest reason for this ... can the public make purchases through the county? Of course not.

Using a check to purchase something for one's own use through the county (at far less than market value and thereby also avoiding the sales tax on the value) is likely sufficent criminal intent to fit the meaning of the statute

Paying by check is not exculpatory .. it's just stupid ... like Mayor of Cleveland Jerry Springer paying a mother-daughter hooker duo with a check.

Using a check to purchase something you know is below market value (hot/stolen) through the county is criminal ... criminal AND stupid

Fletch, I agree paying by check doesn't make it right.

Submitted on Sun, 08/26/2012 - 2:27pm
Weird, how that they can get away with this, apparently because they are politicians.

The county has proof these items were purchased and paid

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 2:19pm by Tina
for thus the county owns them. All those people have no receipt, no proof that they bought them from the County. So is the county going to demand they receive the items back? If the county doesn't get it back, the cousins and relatives and all the rest should then be prosecuted.

Commissioners were mentioned in the report

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 1:45pm by key west man
Why don't you take a minute to read report before making boneheaded comments that are not accurate. If there is cover up going on here it is the thing wrapped around your head that is preventing factual information from getting through.

Carruthers did not support firing Gastesi?

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:48pm by Chloe
Of course not. Ms. Carruthers is on the list of those who purchased the stolen goods. No matter how long your resume of service to a community, stealing is stealing and needs to be kept in check--they're all responsible. If Ms. Carruthers supports the firing of Gastesi and Fredrick she is essentially putting into question her own judgement. Commissioners and other public leaders should be without question able to see through a scam.

Carruthers standing at the back of the truck too.

Submitted on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 10:27am
...Waiting to see what falls off, and which crook is desperate enough to take a check. Good one.

I read the full report,too

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:28am by Ninja Jane
It's amazing how many were willing to sell out their integrity and credibility for a handful of trendy gadgets. The county administrator and deputy county administrator aren't fit to run a lemonade stand, let alone a county government. Off with their heads!

damn democrat voters

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 7:18pm by Spoken Citizen
well at least the correct animal was represented for them....bunch of stubborn old a$$e$.

And exactly what does this have to do with Democratic voters?

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:18am by *.* CLEARLY the original
You people need to gain some brains and learn a bit about politics. First party affiliation means nothing in local politics. Look at those who ran on just any ticket they could find this time around?

Secondly, national politics doesn't have a lot to do with thieves by Bubbas in city and county government.

Relevant?

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 8:34am by Rabbi Flanagan
I didn't read the word "Democrat," did you?

It's like those posters

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 8:08pm by Get_Real_People
It's like those posters where if you stare at it long enough, it will jump right out at you.

I just read the full report. Just look at the list of Bubbas

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 6:04pm by Tina
I just read the full report. Just look at the list of Bubbas, public employees, relatives and Cuzzies who got special deals. And who paid for that? Taxpayers.

Gastesi has been a disappointment.

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 5:26pm by Nickname
To be kind to him, he was (to me) a mild disappointment up until this affair. But it's hugely disappointing that someone supposedly as smart as him would think buying articles such as that from an individual was OK. Considering who sold them to him, if he didn't wonder if they might be county property, he's got to be waaaaay stupid. If he bought them with a wink and a nod, he's not only stupid but a crook.

Way to go Roman

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 6:58am by Bubba S
Here you send tax payers money to have a friend you work with from Dade County. To come to Key West for Ethic,s training classes for all the employee,s but yet here you are purchasing articles from employees that you Evaluate and works for you, wow''' oh yeah aint it in the County Policy not to except gifts from the Public or salesmen because ita a conflict. oh yeah the Jobs. that Roman Cut where white collar position were 36 workers ask him how many were boss positions,? were was the County Attorneys office at with this Crap going Bob S,& Susan Hutton

What About County Commissioners Who Bought From Druckemiller?

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 3:37pm by Fletch

I wonder how they'll vote?

This botched/covered-up case is just another reason One-Term Ward had to go

No Plea Bargains, Please

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 3:04pm by Harold W.

Put her before a jury and let's hope she's convicted. No pensions for a felon, please. Do the right thing.

It's About Time We Fire Those Who Do Not Do Their Jobs

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 2:21pm by Harold W.

All hail to the Grand Jury. Don't know who you folks are, but I toast you now for a job well done.

Job well done???????

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 1:48pm by key west man
Ward was running around saying fire them... When nobody listened to him he convenes a grand jury that comes up with the idea that they should be fired. I am sure it is coincidence and not prosecutorial misconduct. At least I think............

Another Job Well Done By Dennis Ward&His Team- He Will Be Missed

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 2:02pm by Conrad
Transparency and clean government were brought to this county by Dennis Ward and his assembled team of Experts. Democratic Voters threw him out in the primary. Some of them brag about getting rid of him because he enforced our laws across the board. Every citizen and taxpayer will pay dearly for this mistake. There will come a day in the very near future, when we will beg and plead for an individual of Ward's caliber.

Sadly, it appears there are more crooked Bubbas with family

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:22am by *.* CLEARLY the original
members in town who have a vote, than honest people.

by Some Perhaps ....

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 8:52pm by Fletch

I notice that Commissioners Rice and Carruthers seemed to pass Ward's stilted scrutiny unmentioned before the Grand Jury

I wonder how or if they will vote on discharging others who bought the Hot Apples?

If you'd READ the Grand Jury's finding, included in this article

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:21am by *.* CLEARLY the original
you'd know exactly how this went down. Rice and Carruthers actions were detailed and Rice was even commended for his actions, Carruthers was applauded because she did pay by check, not cash, so there is a paper trail. Ward had absolutely NOTHING to do with this. His office presented the evidence to the GJ and they did the rest. READ THE REPORT, for heavens sake.

Creating a paper trail does not excuse her availing herself

Submitted on Wed, 08/29/2012 - 8:54am
of below-market price goods by buying from county employee. She should have known better.

Well Well

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 12:05pm by FKeys
Lets see if our elected officials will do the right thing and follow those recommendations.......were all watching! No need to bring someone in, we dont need to pay anyone to do this, follow the recommendations!!

Please do the right thing

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 6:03pm by Exasperated
Please do the right thing and wait until Ward is out of office. We do not want him to be able to put our fellows in jail. Citizens we must wait for Vogel so she can make sure we are able to get a defense.

I hope that's sarcasm.

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:25am by *.* CLEARLY the original
Vogel and her ex-boss are as crooked as they come. They're in bed with the Bubbas.

Only on the weekends

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 8:54pm by Exasperated
The Conchs are WINNING.

Druckemiller had Vogel

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 5:19pm by itsabouttime
Druckemiller had Vogel campaign support on her Facebook page. I did notice after the article yesterday that Ryan Druckemillers page is totally private now.

Vogel Plea Deal

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:12am by Fairvalues
Wait till Vogel gets in and Druckmiller will be able to get one of the Deals that Vogel said Ward didn't hand out enough. Ward's "Deal" for her was jail time and loss of pension.

What the Hell?????

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 7:21pm by Spoken Citizen
A defense? I bet you are an obama voter

Again, what does Obama have to do with any of this?

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:24am by *.* CLEARLY the original
I believe, or at least I HOPE, that was sarcasm. But hey, dem dar Bubbas don't understand how to keep their braggin' to demselves, now do they?

Can't be an Obama Supporter

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:14am by Fairvalues
because we all voted for Ward so Druckmiller would see jail time and lose her pension.

No we didn't

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 8:53pm by Exasperated
We the Conch Nation voted for Vogel. Cant you see the numbers in Key West. We control who gets in and who gets out. Vogel is in and now we have a defense in the state attorney's office. The attorneys must stall until January. I hope she adds Hugh Morgan and Jim Henricks as assistants and Eddie Perez as an investigation.

Your comments are astounding

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 8:29am by Rabbi Flanagan
I guess to put a Republican slant on this, "The citizens of Monroe have been raped by corrupt government, but you want to force us to carry their evil spawn."

Obama

Submitted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 10:25pm by Exasperated
What are you trying to say? Please let Vogel handle this case as she has been elected by the public. She will need to help them with their defense.

You got that right!

Submitted on Tue, 08/28/2012 - 10:41am by Kiki
"she will need to help them with their DEFENSE!" you are a disgrace to my eyes. Your "Conchs are winning" mentality is juvenile and presumptuos that all conchs and their families support corruption, nepotism and cronism. THEY DO NOT! WE DO NOT! My children are 5th generation and my husband, is turning over in his grave by your inspid remarks and blatant display of poor breeding and bad education.

She ran to be PROSECUTOR you

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 5:09pm by 666
She ran to be PROSECUTOR you idiot! She can only help the Bubbas "defense" secretly. Ssshhhhh....

YES. Fire crooks immediately.

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:27am by *.* CLEARLY the original
Dragging this stuff out at taxpayer expense is ludicrous. If the grand jury recommends it, I am behind it.

AND do it quickly. Don't drag feet on this one. The sooner these crooks and inept people are off the payroll, the better for the people of the Keys. And they get NO RETIREMENT, NO BENEFITS. If you fire for cause, they get nothing, not even unemployment. Be sure that's all documented to avoid another debacle such as we had with the incompetent Willi.

Yes, immediately ; why wait?

Submitted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 7:28am by trapper
No need to wait. rout all of them;; and CALL your Commissioners ! Demand justice. Will public outcry be enough to break the Bubba bond ? Call and find out.

No proof, but as a public

Submitted on Sun, 08/26/2012 - 4:56pm by david2009
No proof, but as a public official aren't you required to avoid even the appearance of dishonesty to maintain your credibility and be worthy of trust?
More Florida Keys Headlines
Coach punched in the face
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
3 comments
Man found floating a mile from bridge
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
New clinic holding its own in dePoo building
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
School's out forever, as doors close for good
Monday, May 20, 2013
9 comments
Taking care of the tiger
Monday, May 20, 2013
BP fraudster wants new trial
Monday, May 20, 2013
3 comments
Available Only in the Electronic Edition
Waterfront board OK's assisted-living project
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 -
City awaits big blue 65-gallon recycle carts
Monday, May 20, 2013 -
Assisted living plan has deadline
Sunday, May 19, 2013 -
Research drone flies over reef
Saturday, May 18, 2013 -
Navy, city to work on pier deal
Friday, May 17, 2013 -
County won't appeal PSC ruling
Thursday, May 16, 2013 -