ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — 9 Investigates found out a former corrections officer who resigned during an investigation into wrongdoing is still getting paid because he got to keep his pension.
State officials said the officer has been in trouble seven times.
Since department of corrections officer Desmond Peters was hired in 1992, he has been at the center of dozens of complaints, but only seven were sustained.
The corrections officer recently resigned during an investigation concerning excessive force and perjury.
But despite his track record and getting his corrections certificate decertified, Peters is still collecting his pension.
“According to the law, if you resign, you get to keep your pension, regardless of how you leave the agency,” said WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer.
Channel 9’s Tim Barber asked Department of Corrections officials why Peters was able to stay in his position with seven disciplinary issues.
A spokesperson said in a statement, “The warden is the disciplinary authority and makes the final recommendation. Many varied and particular factors influenced the decisions in this case.”
The spokesperson did not specify what those factors were.
Peters is no longer allowed to work as a corrections officer in Florida.
State officials said the disciplinary actions they have taken involving Peters fall within the parameters in Florida’s administrative code.
WFTV
