Florida official fired for cashing employee’s $20K lottery ticket — 3 years after police chief wife resigned in disgrace
A Florida city boss was let go after authorities found he likely helped a coworker cash a $20,000 lottery ticket. The fire‑alarm went off three years ago when his wife, who had been Tampa’s police chief, stepped down after an attempt to use her influence to clear him of a traffic stop.
Tampa Code Enforcement Director Keith O’Connor lost his job on Tuesday following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that discovered he had worked with support staffer Aubrey Pierce to withdraw the prize. WFLA reported on the findings. O’Connor is thought to have processed the ticket for Pierce because the worker was late on child‑support payments and would have risked having the award seized if he had tried to cash it himself.
Officials first flagged the lottery activity when they unearthed texts and phone logs between O’Connor and Pierce while probing the deputy’s alleged bribery. Pierce, who joined the city in February 2023, was arrested in August and charged with several felonies—bribery by a public servant, unlawful hazardous‑waste disposal, grand theft, and violations of Florida’s litter law—court records revealed to The Post. He has pleaded not guilty to the bribery and litter charges.
The FDLE placed O’Connor on paid administrative leave in September, while a separate investigation into the ticket led to paperwork being forwarded to prosecutors. Their decision not to file charges was based on insufficient evidence for a viable case, WFLA said.
Despite his suspension, Pierce remains on the payroll as the city awaits the outcome of an upcoming disciplinary hearing. In a long legal history, the code‑enforcement guard had faced prior convictions for grand theft and burglary before being hired. In 2013, he sent a letter to a judge, asking for release from jail in anticipation of a new federal job. He wrote, “I have a good job waiting on me with the City of Tampa,” adding, “Thanks to the help of Major Keith O’Connor of the Tampa Police Department.”
The drama that led to O’Connor’s dismissal began when his wife, Mary O’Connor, the former Tampa police chief, was pulled over in an unregistered golf cart. In viral body‑cam footage, the then‑51‑year‑old showed her badge to a Pinellas County deputy and said, “just let us go.” The incident prompted her to go on leave and eventually resign after 10 months in the role. In her resignation letter, she wrote, “I never want my personal mistake to stand in the way of the progress I have made in mending relationships between the police department and the community, so for that reason, I am resigning,” as reported by Fox 13 News.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor underscored the city’s stance: “Our organization is built on professionalism, accountability, and integrity,” she said. “The community we serve expects and deserves the highest standards from all City employees, especially those in leadership positions.”
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
