Clermont Police Department troubles cost taxpayers over $400K

CLERMONT, Fla. — Troubles in the Clermont Police Department have cost taxpayers over $400,000.

It began as a simple prank. Clermont police Officer Marc Thompson was off-duty last year when he and two other officers led an on-duty officer on a high-speed pursuit caught on a dash camera.

The chase ended at a busy intersection in Clermont and also ended Thompson's employment with the Police Department.

Former police chief Steve Graham fired him.

An arbitrator slammed Graham's decision saying the city's termination of employment, which is the extreme penalty, was excessive and Thompson got his job back.

"I think we've made tremendous progress … in the Police Department," Clermont Council Member Rick VanWagner said.

In the past six months several Clermont officers lost their jobs only to return to the force including some who complained to FDLE about Graham.

Between back pay, arbitrator fees and some attorneys costs, cases involving officers mark Edwards, Cecil Garrett, Gary Holmes, James Rooney and Marc Thompson have added up to at least $414,000

VanWagner wants these payouts to be a thing of the past.

"We don't want to waste money on going to court and doing things like that so we're working very diligently to clear up (any) issues ongoing," VanWagner said.

WFTV