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Lifeguard, supervisor placed on leave

The head lifeguard at Fort Island Beach is accused of sexual harassment. His supervisor is accused of not reporting the complaints.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT and CATHERINE E. SHOICHET
Published August 16, 2006

The head lifeguard at Fort Island Beach has been placed on paid leave while officials investigate sexual harassment allegations against him.

Rennie Keller Jr., 28, of Crystal River was put on leave Friday, said county human resources director Randy Petitt. Keller's supervisor, Shawna Santin, 36, of Hernando was also placed on paid leave, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Petitt said he received a complaint Friday alleging that Keller had sexually harassed female employees he supervised. The complaint also alleged that Santin had been informed of the allegations but had not reported them to other county officials.

Petitt said the complaints indicate that "there was no touching involved."

But he said sexual comments and innuendo violate the county's zero-tolerance policy.

"We don't tolerate sexual harassment, so if it's proven, we take it very seriously," he said.

Keller and Santin could not be reached for comment Monday.

Keller has been working as a lifeguard, a seasonal position, since May. He makes $11 per hour, Petitt said.

The 1996 graduate of Crystal River High School previously worked for the county for the 1995 through 1997 seasons.

His county personnel file indicates that he has worked since 1999 as a practical nurse for Arcadian Healthcare in Ocala.

Petitt said the county would not re-employ Keller if the allegations of harassment are proved because Keller is considered casual labor.

Officials are also investigating Santin, Petitt said, because as a supervisor, she is required to report any harassment allegations that come to light.

A 10-year county employee, Santin has faced disciplinary action only once during her time with Citrus County, according to her personnel file. In late 2004, she was suspended for three days for not being on the job during the hours she had been assigned to work.

Santin makes $30,700 annually, Petitt said. If county investigators find that she failed to respond appropriately to allegations, Petitt said, Santin could face formal discipline from the county.

The investigation began Friday after Commissioner Joyce Valentino received a phone call reporting the allegations.

"I thought they were serious enough that I needed to contact my staff immediately," Valentino said.

Soon afterward, county officials went out to Fort Island Beach, removed Keller from his post and "remained on scene until another lifeguard could arrive," Petitt said.

But Petitt said Monday that it is unclear how long the investigation will take because some possible witnesses are students who worked as lifeguards.

Petitt said they range in age from 16 to 22, and "for most of them, this was a summertime job. So with school starting, we're now having to try to track them down. ... We're going to try to get through it as soon as we can."

But the county's goal, he said, is to be "as thorough as possible."

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or 564-3621. Catherine E. Shoichet can be reached at cshoichet@sptimes.com or 860-7309.

[Last modified August 16, 2006, 06:49:07]