Tampa fired its Code Enforcement Director after a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report cited a 'strong presumption' he helped a friend hide lottery winnings from a child-support obligation; no charges were filed
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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated Tampa Code Enforcement Director Keith O'Connor -- husband of former Tampa Police Chief Mary O'Connor -- after allegations he arranged for someone else to cash a friend's winning scratch-off ticket so the friend could avoid paying past-due child support. An FDLE report said there was a strong presumption O'Connor knowingly participated but investigators could not prove theft beyond a reasonable doubt, and no charges were filed; the Tampa Bay Times reported that a State Attorney's office memo said his conduct was 'suggestive of theft' but that he would not face charges. The City of Tampa nonetheless fired O'Connor in December 2025, saying his supervisors determined his 'poor judgment' merited dismissal; Mayor Jane Castor said the city expects 'the highest standards from all City employees, especially those in leadership positions.'
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- FOX 13 Tampa Bay
there was a strong presumption that O'Connor knowingly participated
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