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Parks worker accused of taking bribe

Hillsborough deputies say he accepted money to falsify community service records.

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published February 24, 2005

TAMPA - For $150, an after-school program leader for the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department was prepared to falsify records for court-ordered community service hours, the Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies said Wayne Edward Geiger Jr. took bribe money from an undercover officer in exchange for certifying that the man had performed community service at the Keysville Park and Community Center in Lithia.

Tuesday, deputies arrested Geiger, 26, of 3520 S Forbes Road in Dover. He was charged with official misconduct, a third-degree felony. He was released from jail early Wednesday on $2,000 bail.

"His status is, he's still with us, but he's not to report to his job site," said John Brill of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Brill said his office plans to meet with Geiger today.

Geiger, also known as "Rooster," accepted money to sign a community service hours log "when the probationer did not actually work the hours," said sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter.

According to an arrest affidavit, an undercover sheriff's detective used a form from the Salvation Army's correctional services division.

Carter wouldn't go into details about who tipped off the Sheriff's Office, only saying that a "citizen" had complained.

Walt Bucklin, program director for the Salvation Army Corrections Department, said he was aware of the investigation. His office supervises misdemeanor probation cases, like driving under the influence, he said.

Carter would not say how many times Geiger had allegedly accepted money or how many people may be involved or whether anyone else will face charges.

"At this point, the investigation continues," Carter said. "So we aren't going to get into a lot of the details."

Geiger has worked for the Parks and Recreation Department since 1998, Brill said. He described Geiger's position as that of a coach, providing sports, arts and crafts for an after-school program.

Geiger was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence in 1999 and again in 2002 on charges of grand theft from a construction site and trespass on a construction site. In the 2002 arrest, Geiger pleaded guilty but adjudication was withheld, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

"We are well aware of the last arrest," said Brill. Hillsborough County administrator Pat Bean said she learned of Geiger's arrest late Tuesday and knew few details.

Bean said the county will immediately begin procedures to review the case and possibly suspend or fire Geiger.

Times researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this story. Kevin Graham can be reached at 813 226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 24, 2005, 00:53:06]