A months-long probe into abuse of sick leave within the fire department concluded this week with the resignation of a deputy chief and the release of an internal review.
The city paid $93,816 in unearned or unauthorized sick time, benefits and incentives over the past five years, according to the review. On Monday, days after the report was completed, Clearwater Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Steven Strong resigned in lieu of being fired.
He was named in the review as the supervisor of a former logistics manager who changed his address to one in Key West and told peers he was going sailing — yet stayed on the city’s payroll.
"He (Strong) simply didn’t do enough on his part to ensure that the sick leave rules were being followed," City Manager Bill Horne said Wednesday.
Strong, a 13-year employee who made $115,230 a year, could not be reached for comment. He is the second employee to resign amid the fallout.