News writer
A city official in Tampa, Florida, has been fired after prosecutors suggested he played a role in helping a lottery winner sidestep $70,000 in unpaid child support. However, those same prosecutors also declined to file charges against the same city official.
A firing triggered by a scratch-off
Keith O’Connor, the former director of code enforcement for the city and former deputy chief at the Tampa Police Department, was fired this week after the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office released a memo outlining their concerns regarding his involvement with a $20,000 winning ticket from the Florida Lottery.
In a statement to FOX 13, O’Connor’s attorney, Ralph Fernandez, blasted the memo for being a targeted hit. He said, “This memo is a hatchet job. I’m surprised people still do this.”
The scratch-off scandal
According to this memo, the winner, Aubrey Pierce, had a long history with O’Connor. They used to work together at a city trash disposal site. O’Connor reportedly was instrumental in helping Pierce find a job and get some stability in his life after multiple arrests.
That is when Pierce found himself with a winning scratch-off ticket, which Lottery USA previously reported. Prosecutors said at that time, Pierce owed tens of thousands in past-due child support.
Investigators determined that Pierce gave the ticket to O’Connor, and he claimed the winnings. Prosecutors wrote in the memo that this created a reasonable “presumption” that giving the ticket to O’Connor was an attempt to hide the winnings from the state.
“This is an example of what the state strongly believes happened versus what it can actually prove in court,” the memo states.
However, Fernandez says the exchange was innocent, with Pierce being grateful to O’Connor.
"Pierce never had two nickels to rub together," said Fernandez. "He gets his ticket, and he says, 'You know what? I want you to have it, and whatever.' Once that transaction is completed, even if it takes one second, O'Connor can do whatever he wants with that money and give it back to Pierce to buy equipment for a side job."
However, prosecutors said in the memo that Pierce allegedly told others he had someone else cash the ticket to avoid garnishment. They said this type of conduct was “suggestive of theft,” though not provable.
No charges, but consequences
The memo stated the evidence failed to establish wrongdoing “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Because of that, no charges were filed against O’Connor.
However, Tampa’s mayor’s office deemed O’Connor’s judgment to be poor enough that it would merit immediate dismissal.
While addressing whether or not O’Connor could have avoided the appearance of improper behavior, Fernandez told FOX 13, “Every human being that faces a difficult encounter regrets being in that position to any extent.”
Meanwhile, prosecutors defended writing the memo, saying it helped show transparency and explained why no charges were filed.
A controversial history overshadows the case
This lottery scandal gained further attention because of O’Connor’s high-profile connection: his wife. She is Mary O’Connor, the former Tampa Police Chief.
Mary resigned from her position in 2022 after a now-infamous incident took place in which she flashed her badge during a golf traffic stop in Pinellas County. During that stop, she asked deputies to “just let us go.”
Fernandez argued that this memo served as the political push certain officials needed to remove O’Connor after the prior scandal put the couple under heightened scrutiny.
Garnishments in Florida
This story revolves around the $20K lottery ticket. In Florida, lottery winnings are considered income for child support enforcement. So, if a player owes past due support, then a portion of those winnings can be automatically garnished to pay off the debt.
For Florida Lottery players, the key takeaway is clear (which O’Connor appeared to know about): any outstanding child support obligations could affect your winnings. Attempting to sidestep these rules and payments could result in legal trouble.
Enjoy playing the Florida Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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