City of Lakeland: No decision on status of City Attorney Tim McCausland after he was among eight individuals arrested Wednesday in undercover prostitution operation at a hotel in Brandon.

LAKELAND — Lakeland's longtime city attorney, Tim McCausland, was among eight individuals arrested Wednesday in Hillsborough County in an undercover sex sting.

McCausland, 69, was arrested at approximately 11:40 a.m. Wednesday by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Brandon, according to information posted on the Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts website. He faces a charge of violating a county ordinance described as "unlawful acts as a precursor to prostitution."

BREAKING NEWS: Lakeland City Attorney Tim McCausland retires in wake of arrest in undercover sex sting operation

Hillsborough County officials say undercover deputies posted fake ads on an adult escort website that lured the eight people who were arrested, including McCausland, to a hotel located near South Falkenburg Road and East Adamo Drive. After arriving, each individual met with an undercover detective.

City Manager Tony Delgado said that McCausland's arrest occurred during a scheduled work day but the event may have happened during his lunch hour. The city is taking actions to look into his arrest, according to spokesman Kevin Cook, who said no decision to McCausland's status had been made as of 4 p.m. Thursday.

"We are still evaluating what details we have and waiting on some additional details," Delgado said. "I'm reluctant to make any comment associated with this challenging issue."

According to Hillsborough County records, the county ordinance McCausland is accused of violating involves a “coordinated meeting or contact between two or more persons on private property which originates through a solicitation, advertisement or display on media available to the general public, on the Internet or on the World Wide Web.”

During these meetings it's illegal for participants to expose their breasts or genitals, fondle the other party's genitals or for one party to request these acts from the other, according to the ordinance.

"Operations like this help us to not only seek out possible victims of human trafficking, but also find and take criminals off the streets who are hiding in plain sight," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a released statement.

If one of Lakeland's civil service employees is arrested and faces substantial charges, the city has in the past moved to place the individual on temporary administrative leave.

McCausland is directly appointed by the city commissioners. He has worked for Lakeland since 1992 and is paid nearly $223,000 per year. McCausland is slated to receive his biannual work performance review from the commissioners on Oct 21.

Mayor Bill Mutz said he had no comment, as the city is "still fact gathering and determining the next steps."

McCausland was released from jail on a $250 bail at 8:47 p.m. Wednesday. City staff said he had not reported to City Hall for work as of approximately 9 a.m. Thursday. The city attorney has been married to Sharon McCausland since August 1985, according to documents posted on Polk County Clerk of Courts website.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545.