Post by WaTcHeR on Feb 20, 2007 12:57:55 GMT -5
Eyewitness News has learned Kissimmee's top cop also owns a traffic school, allowing her to make money on tickets handed out by her own officers. She notified the state, Monday, about the business, after Eyewitness News questioned her.
Fran Iwanski became Kissimmee's police chief in October. She then had 30 days to notify the Florida Ethics Commission about her business.
Over the phone, Chief Iwanski said she has not done anything unethical, but the county never got the financial disclosure form until Monday afternoon, after Eyewitness News asked about it.
"It was just an oversight. It was just an error," said Gregory Iwanski, the chief's husband.
Gregory Iwanski spoke for his wife, Monday. Eyewitness News asked why she didn't turn in a form that all local government leaders have to fill out with the state ethics commission. It lists financial interests as required by law.
People Eyewitness News spoke to thought Iwanski's dual role as chief and part owner of a traffic school in Kissimmee is questionable.
"I mean, the police officers are giving out tickets and it could be for their gain," said resident Bonnie Nelson.
Eyewitness News ran into city manager Mark Durbin on the street and tried to ask him about Iwanski, but he refused to comment.
Instead, Eyewitness News talked to a city spokeswoman.
"He trusts her completely and does not believe there is a conflict of interest," spokeswoman Carla Banks said.
Iwanski said she never kept her stake in the Orange-Osceola Safety Institute a secret. Before she became chief last year, she told the city about the school in 2000 and 2004. However, Iwanski insisted over the phone that one has nothing to do with the other.
Even though the department issued nearly 14,000 tickets last year, Iwanski said officers do not tell drivers where to go for traffic school.
Three Kissimmee Police Department officers work for Iwanski at the traffic school. The chief said there is no policy on how many tickets any officer needs to write.
Fran Iwanski became Kissimmee's police chief in October. She then had 30 days to notify the Florida Ethics Commission about her business.
Over the phone, Chief Iwanski said she has not done anything unethical, but the county never got the financial disclosure form until Monday afternoon, after Eyewitness News asked about it.
"It was just an oversight. It was just an error," said Gregory Iwanski, the chief's husband.
Gregory Iwanski spoke for his wife, Monday. Eyewitness News asked why she didn't turn in a form that all local government leaders have to fill out with the state ethics commission. It lists financial interests as required by law.
People Eyewitness News spoke to thought Iwanski's dual role as chief and part owner of a traffic school in Kissimmee is questionable.
"I mean, the police officers are giving out tickets and it could be for their gain," said resident Bonnie Nelson.
Eyewitness News ran into city manager Mark Durbin on the street and tried to ask him about Iwanski, but he refused to comment.
Instead, Eyewitness News talked to a city spokeswoman.
"He trusts her completely and does not believe there is a conflict of interest," spokeswoman Carla Banks said.
Iwanski said she never kept her stake in the Orange-Osceola Safety Institute a secret. Before she became chief last year, she told the city about the school in 2000 and 2004. However, Iwanski insisted over the phone that one has nothing to do with the other.
Even though the department issued nearly 14,000 tickets last year, Iwanski said officers do not tell drivers where to go for traffic school.
Three Kissimmee Police Department officers work for Iwanski at the traffic school. The chief said there is no policy on how many tickets any officer needs to write.