Fort Myers-based FHP trooper among those punished for OT abuse

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper based at Troop F in Fort Myers was among the 12 officers recently disciplined after an internal audit discovered they were abusing an overtime program.

The Tallahassee Democrat reports Trooper Armand Tobar was given a 40-hour suspension.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' inspector general's office reviewed the activity of the 36 officers who turned in the most hours related to FHP's Statewide Overtime Action Response program, in which officers are expected to aggressively enforce traffic laws while being paid time-and-a-half.

Of the 36, 13 were found to be violating policies. Those violations include claiming hours while visiting girlfriends, being parked at restaurants or being home. Others deactivated their patrol cars' vehicle locators during time claimed.

It is unknown what Tobar was alleged to have done.

Across the state, three officers were fired, one was notified of his proposed dismissal, four retired during the investigation, three suspended and one given a written reprimand.