FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — Fruitland Park's police chief is facing a state investigation. WFTV was in Tampa Wednesday as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) found cause to look into Chief Mark Isom, who was given a raise for worthless bachelor's and master's degrees that came from a diploma mill.
After 26 years at the top of Fruitland Park's Police Department, Chief Isom may never have faced a challenge as tough as this.
"I'm part of a scam. I want the citizens of Fruitland Park to know that I'm still there doing my job," Chief Isom said.
Isom is in a struggle to clear his name. FDLE has accused him of administrative grand theft. He received nearly $775 in incentive pay for earning two college degrees.
It turns out that they were phony diplomas from a bogus online university; Isom insists he never knew.
"He enrolled in it. He took the courses. He paid for the courses and he received what was provided to him," Isom's attorney, Robert Trimble, said.
But at a hearing, members of the Criminal Justice Standards Commission found probable cause to continue the investigation, which could lead to Isom being stripped of his law enforcement certification.
"With a revoked license, he could no longer perform the duties of a sworn officer," said Glen Hopkins, FDLE.
Prosecutors never pursued criminal charges against the chief and Isom returned the incentive pay. But now, he will have to convince a judge that he did nothing wrong.
"They've got to prove their case and we're gonna hold their feet to the fire," Trimble said.
The decision has no impact on Isom's authority as police chief; he remains in charge of the Fruitland Park force. That could change if he were to lose his certification. His hearing before an administrative law judge may not happen until early next year.
Isom's annual salary is more than $70,000.