NASSAU COUNTY, FL – After a month-and-a-half-long investigation, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) has arrested three current and former employees, and issued arrest warrants for two additional individuals, in connection with a “double-dipping” scheme that defrauded the agency and taxpayers of over $14,000. All six employees involved have been terminated.
Deputy Henry Holmberg, Sergeant Brian Blackwell, and Sergeant Wilfred Quick surrendered themselves to the Nassau County Jail and Detention Center today. They face felony and misdemeanor theft charges, as well as felony official misconduct charges. Arrest warrants remain outstanding for two additional Sergeants, whose names will be released when they are apprehended.
The investigation was launched following an internal tip suggesting that certain NCSO employees were receiving pay from the NCSO while simultaneously working and being paid for off-duty “secondary employment.” The probe confirmed that five employees were submitting time sheets for on-duty pay while also being compensated by private employers, a practice strictly prohibited by NCSO policy and state law.
In a separate but related discovery, NCSO found that Deputy Michael Brandon, who was on light duty for a non-workplace injury and assigned to the Nassau County Communications and Dispatch Center, was leaving work and going home during most of his shifts without supervisor notification or approval. He subsequently submitted time sheets for periods when he was not working, constituting theft of time and official misconduct. Deputy Brandon accepted a pre-trial diversion disposition, which includes repayment of restitution to NCSO and taxpayers, in lieu of arrest and was also terminated.
The total amount stolen from NCSO and Nassau County taxpayers in these incidents is $14,007.86. While all six employees were offered a pre-trial diversion disposition by the State Attorney’s Office, only former Deputy Brandon accepted.
Sheriff Leeper expressed his disappointment but underscored the agency’s commitment to accountability. “While I sincerely appreciate the years of service of each of these employees and the sacrifices each has made while protecting and serving our community… I am deeply disappointed in the actions of these former employees. Each and every employee of NCSO must be held accountable and I expect professionalism and integrity of all employees, at all times.”
To prevent future occurrences, Sheriff Leeper announced a policy change: all employees engaging in secondary employment will now be subjected to audits, rather than just random checks. He concluded by reaffirming NCSO’s dedication to professionalism, honesty, integrity, accountability, and transparency within the community.
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