Sheriff raising money; Union raising issues

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 27, 2008

COUNTYWIDE

In what's certain to be a lucrative night for his re-election campaign, Pasco Sheriff Bob White will be honored Friday at a $100-a-plate fundraising dinner at a private Land O'Lakes ranch. The host committee, according to the invitation, includes the cream of Pasco County politics. The honorary chairmen are a roll call of local Republicans officeholders, plus two Democrats. The night's special guest: none other than Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. A few of White's deputies might show up, too. The Fraternal Order of Police, the deputies union that has been locked in a contract dispute with the sheriff for more than a year, is organizing a rally on State Road 52 across from the entrance of the 4G Ranch at the time dinner guests will be arriving. "Needless to say, you won't be sitting in a posh environment with the sheriff and his friends," organizers wrote to union members in an e-mail this week. "You will be outside, standing side by side with those you work with and/or those who believe in you as a deputy sheriff and want what you want." The union, which formed in 2006, is deadlocked with White over gap medical insurance for retirees and the agency's discipline process.

NEW PORT RICHEY

$5,000 question leads to arrest

William Charles Jefferson said he wrote a personal check for a company expense: $14,248.30 to a construction firm to start a project in Clearwater. But authorities say Jefferson, 4333 Crestwood Blvd., asked for reimbursement of $19,248.30 from Covenant Construction, where he worked as a project manager. Unable to explain the $5,000 disparity, Jefferson was arrested on a grand theft charge Monday. What's more, authorities say, the original check he wrote bounced. He was released Tuesday from the county jail in Land O'Lakes after posting $5,000 bail.

[Last modified February 26, 2008, 23:51:25]