News writer
In Florida, a story of second chances, old loyalties, and a surprising lottery twist is unfolding. What began as an investigation into city corruption has now pulled in a longtime official, an employee with a turbulent past, and a $25,000 ticket at the center of it all. How did a jackpot prize end up sparking questions about favoritism, secrecy, and even a possible “witch hunt”?
A long history of criminal charges
Aubrey Pierce was an employee of the City of Tampa in Florida. Pierce has a checkered past, which includes charges for grand theft, battery on a pregnant woman, and fleeing from law enforcement.
In 2013, he was sentenced to 10 years in jail for the grand theft charges. However, in February 2014, the court set aside the sentence because the original sentencing guidelines weren't followed by the court.
Ten months later, he wrote a letter to the judge, saying he still wasn't released yet and “if I am released soon, I have a good job waiting on me with the City of Tampa, thanks to the help of Maj. Keith O'Connor of TPD.”
In 2014, O’Connor wrote a letter to the judge saying he had known Pierce since he was 12. He suggested Pierce apply to the clean city division, as he could be hired with a felony record.
However, Pierce was on probation at the time, so he couldn't be hired. Pierce was finally hired by the city in 2023.
An investigation begins
Authorities said Pierce was being investigated for allegedly accepting bribes while working at a City of Tampa solid waste facility. The Tampa Police Department claims Pierce was accepting bribes to allegedly allow illegal dumping on city property.
During the investigation into Pierce, they reportedly discovered unrelated text messages to Keith O'Connor. Those texts allegedly showed Pierce urging O'Connor to cash in a $25,000 Florida Lottery ticket that Pierce had won.
Pierce reportedly owes tens of thousands in child support. Because of that, he wanted to hide the winnings from the court system, so he asked O'Connor to cash in the winnings for him.
Because of that text exchange, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement launched an investigation into Keith O'Connor, who is Tampa's code enforcement director and the former husband of Tampa Police Chief Mary O'Connor. He was suspended with pay.
"One of the favorite targets"
Ralph Fernandez, the attorney for O'Connor, said this is all a witch hunt. He told FOX 13, “It's one of the favorite targets of everyone, it seems, in the last few years.”
What is Fernandez talking about? He's referring to another incident that saw Mary O'Connor resign from her position after an outcry over a golf cart traffic stop.
During that incident, she and her husband were riding in a golf cart when they were pulled over by a Pinellas County deputy. She flashed her badge, asked the deputy to let them go, and he did.
The public was up in arms, and Mary eventually resigned. Now, their attorney says the witch hunt continues today.
At this time, no charges have been filed against O'Connor in the case of the lottery text messages.
Enjoy playing the Florida Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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