Department Money Given To Ex-Police Chief

WFTV, wftv.com
Audit Report

Fruitland Park, FL

Audit Finds Drugs, Money Missing From Police Department

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. -- A new audit from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office reveals many issues inside the Fruitland Park Police Department. The audit came after WFTV broke a scandal involving former Police Chief Mark Isom.

In the 18-page audit, investigators found that, since 2006, large sums of money were given to Isom. The audit found more than $2,300 supposed to be used for investigating cases was unaccounted for. Documents also show the city treasurer gave Isom $1,000 in February of 2009, which he never included in his record keeping. That’s the same time Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators believe Isom paid more than $1,000 for two fake college degrees from a bogus online university.

Isom quit his job as police chief in December after admitting to getting the fake degrees to get state incentive money. He's now a civilian and on probation.

The audit team also found major problems in the Police Department’s evidence room. Several guns didn't have evidence tags and were undocumented. There was also missing evidence including 6 grams of suspected marijuana, rolling papers, and a BB pistol. An auditor also found a 4-foot tall glass marijuana-smoking device, also known as a bong, missing. It was similar to one WFTV found sitting in a police major's office. The major was using the pipe as a flower vase.

Deputies also found confiscated computers that the department was planning to take to the shooting range to use for target practice to destroy them.

The city manager actually requested the audit after the police chief resigned. On Wednesday, WFTV expects the city manager and other Fruitland Park officials to meet with FDLE and the Sheriff's Office to discuss this report.

WFTV also found out Fruitland Park's city treasurer is quitting. Elizabeth Palmer told WFTV over the phone that she gave her 30-day notice last week. She said her resignation has nothing to do with the audit, but she was leaving for personal reasons after more than a decade on the job.

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A new audit from the Lake County Sheriff's Office has revealed many issues inside the Fruitland Park Police Department. The audit came after WFTV broke a scandal infolving



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International Association for Property and Evidence
"Law Enforcement Serving the Needs of Law Enforcement"
www.IAPE.org