Florida Jail Supervisor Disciplined for Using Prisoner Labor for Brother’s Political Campaign
A supervisor at Florida’s Broward County Jail has been disciplined for using prisoner labor and county property to assist his brother’s political campaign.
Sgt. Alan Rainey was assigned to oversee the county jail farm when his brother, Jeff, was a Republican candidate for the District 1 County Commission. On June 14, 2008, Sgt. Rainey had prisoners load a jail farm trailer with containers filled with iced-down drinks.
While on his way to Sand Point Park for a fundraiser to benefit his brother’s campaign, another car ran a red light and hit the trailer that Sgt. Rainey was transporting, causing minor damage. Sgt. Rainey’s supervisors would not have learned about the incident if it wasn’t for the accident, which resulted in a police report.
Jeff’s bid for the Commission seat failed in the primary. Meanwhile, Broward County Sheriff Jeff Parker took disciplinary action against Sgt. Rainey for conduct unbecoming an officer and misuse of department equipment, and imposed a 40-hour suspension without pay and reassignment to supervisory duty at the main jail facility.
In September 2008, Parker rejected a grievance filed by the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association on behalf of Sgt. Rainey.
“I know that you personally regret what has occurred,” Parker stated. “However, your actions in this instance demonstrated poor judgment, and it has damaged the credibility and reputation not only of yourself, but the other members of our Sheriff’s Office.”
Sgt. Rainey has since requested arbitration in an effort to overturn or reduce the disciplinary sanctions, as he is apparently unwilling to accept responsibility for his misconduct.
Source: Florida Today
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