LAKE COUNTY, Fla — WFTV learned that a Clermont Police Lieutenant who falsified information on his application and resume will keep his job.
Authorities said James Loughnan told an internal investigator the discrepancies on the documents were simple mistakes made by his wife.
Officials said an internal investigation showed the lieutenant broke two department policies but will only have to seek counseling.
Investigators said the application and resume that Loughnan and his wife filled out wrong dates of employment at least four times.
An attorney WFTV spoke doesn’t believe the claims.
“Let's not call it a mistake,” attorney Derek Brett said, “because it's not a mistake. They were purposeful fabrications.”
Only WFTV got a copy of an internal investigation which found the lieutenant guilty of improper conduct and negligence for falsifying the application and resume.
The papers also say his punishment was counseling.
“He's going to get a slap on the wrist, Brett said. “A literal slap on the wrist, when Chief Graham calls him in for his
alleged counseling it's going to be don't ever falsify your report again.”
Brett represents, Cecil Garret and Kyle Bermingham, two Clermont officers who were fired after they went to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to complain about Police Chief Steve Graham.
Loughnan conducted the investigation into Officer Cecil Garret and claimed he lied, but FDLE indicated he never did.
“If James Loughnan can be vindicated then why don’t Cecil Garret and Kyle Bermingham have their jobs back right now?” Brett said.
The police chief emailed WFTV and said: “I have had no involvement in the investigation into Lieutenant Loughnan, nor did I participate with any decisions regarding the investigation.”
WFTV
