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Wayne Saunders
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Tab 10
Daily Commercial, The (Leesburg, FL)
July 27, 2012
Police chief retires amid scandal
ROXANNE BROWN
There will be a "complete and thorough" investigation of the Clermont Police Department by an
independent third party, City Manager Wayne Saunders announced Thursday.
By the end of the day, Police Chief Steve Graham -- a 34-year law enforcement veteran who has
led the Clermont Police Department since 2005 --announced that he'd be retiring from his post
effective Oct. 26.
"It's been a pleasure and a privilege to lead the men and women of the Clermont Police
department," Graham said in a written statement.
This all comes after numerous accusations from six former police officers who not only claim
they were wrongfully terminated in retaliation for complaining about Chief Graham years ago,
but also swear there is ongoing corruption and wrongdoing within the department. Those officers
and their supporters have been seen at recent city council meetings with picket signs calling for
the termination of Saunders, Graham and police Capt. Jon Johnson.
About two weeks ago, Saunders voluntarily retired effective Jan. 1, 2013, but will stay on
through Jan. 1, 2014 as a consultant.
On Thursday, Saunders acknowledged the former officers' claims in a press release from his
office that said Graham welcomed and supported the investigation.
Talks about placing Graham on administrative leave so he could not influence the investigation
were brought up, but that was before Graham's intent to retire was known.
"Former police officers and their supporters have appeared at recent council meetings
complaining about the police department management, with some claiming they were unjustly
terminated," a press release from Saunders' office said." City Manager Saunders supports the
independent investigation and believes it will provide facts and truth regarding the allegations
and help restore confidence in the department."
At a city council meeting this week, board members Ray Goodgame and Rick Van Wagner both
said they wanted an outside investigation. Councilman Keith Mullins also said he hoped any
probe would put an end to the former officers' accusations.
Already, these accusations have prompted investigations of one officer who they say falsified
information on his resume and application and of another whose investigation they say was
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