TALLAHASSEE - Florida's domestic security chief is leaving to join another state agency.
Steve Lauer, a retired Marine officer with experience in the Middle East, became Florida's first security chief just 10 weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Lauer, 51, who has worked in Florida's drug-fighting effort and has supervised security at the state's 14 deepwater seaports, in July will become inspector general for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. He will earn $83,220 annually.
Broward union president convicted of racketeering
MIAMI - The head of Broward County's most powerful government union was convicted Wednesday of pocketing payoffs from companies to keep them union-free and using dues money on ritzy restaurant meals, junkets and cars.
Walter J. Browne, 52, president of the 7,000-member National Federation of Public and Private Employees union local, and his sister, ex-union employee Patricia Devaney, 55, were convicted of racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, fraud and failing to maintain union records.
Browne was accused of taking nearly $500,000 from eight companies in the 1990s to either skip union organizing efforts or to organize their employees in place of stronger unions. The jury convicted him of taking money from three companies and of making personal use of union funds.
Devaney was accused of embezzling $116,000 from the union by ordering unauthorized payroll checks in the names of herself, her daughter and her estranged husband to feed a gambling habit.
Man dies after police shoot him with Taser gun
ORLANDO - A Lake Mary man died after an Orlando police officer shot him with a Taser gun.
Anthony Carl Oliver, 42, acted erratically after he flagged down officers in downtown Orlando, causing officers to use the gun, said police Lt. Curley Bowman.
The gun shoots two barbed probes that stun the recipient with 50,000 volts. Most people suffer no permanent injuries.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.
