WAKULLA COUNTY, FL (WTXL) -- A complaint was filed Friday by a group of Wakulla County Sheriff's Office employees. The group who filed the complaint is asking for whistle-blower protection against Sheriff Charlie Creel.
The complaint alleges that Sheriff Creel was involved in several incidents that resulted in fraud, abuse, and waste of tax payer funds. In some cases, the groups say he even crossed the threshold of criminal conduct.
In a letter addressed to Governor Rick Scott, the group of employees asks for protection under the Whistle Blower Act and highlights three incidents.
First, they allege that the sheriff's office allowed a registered sex offender to work at a Wakulla High graduation function, wearing civilian clothes so he could "mingle" with the students. In the letter it states that a jail supervisor advised Sheriff Creel that the man was a sex offender and then the supervisor was subsequently removed from performing supervisory duties at the jail.
The second complaint addressed Deputy Richard Moon. It claims he displayed an indifference to African-Americans in two instances. They group says Detective Moon is a continued threat to public safety.
Finally, the groups says the sheriff's office provided illegal use of inmate labor to build a barbeque grill and smoker for a fundraiser.
The president of the NAACP chapter in Wakulla says the community is looking for answers. "Right now they deserve those answers, and those answers need to come from the sheriff. He needs to address this with the community. It's not something that is going to go away anytime soon because of the magnitude of what is at stake here, " Anginita Rosier says.
Sheriff Creel released a statement regarding the allegations. "
“I have reviewed the letter to Governor Scott and I intend to review the issues presented and determine if there is any merit to them,” says Wakulla County Sheriff Charlie Creel. “However, with regard to employees who are the subject of the investigation concerning insensitive remarks, I do not intend to revisit this matter. The Facebook postings in question were thoroughly investigated and the employees who violated agency policy were disciplined.”
