Hernando sheriff's lieutenant quits over timecards

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BROOKSVILLE — A veteran Hernando County sheriff's lieutenant has resigned from the department rather than face criminal charges for falsifying his timecards.

Robert Libengood turned in his letter of resignation Friday, ending the State Attorney's Office investigation into charges that the lieutenant claimed 11 days of time — worth about $3,300 — for time that he didn't actually work.

"This is submitted for several reasons, to include my personal health," Libengood said in his letter. "I feel that it is best to take a respite from law enforcement, and pursue other career opportunities."

The Sheriff's Office started an investigation into Libengood's time sheets in early August after one of his supervisors noticed several discrepancies, according to the investigation report. The supervisor, Major Alan Arick, said that he found 11 days where Libengood indicated that he was working when he was not, dating back to Jan. 1.

Arick also noted that Libengood did not submit the appropriate request for vacation or sick leave.

"There were 11 dates that I could not reconcile," Arick said during a Sept. 5 interview with internal investigators. "There were 11 days he showed that he worked and there was no activity."

Investigators noted that Libengood "had enough vacation time or sick time to cover the time off he had taken but did not complete the required leave request." The report was subsequently forwarded to prosecutors last month.

Assistant State Attorney Phil Hanson said his investigation led him to believe that he could not prove Libengood had intentionally falsified his time cards. Hanson also noted Libengood had told him and officials at the Sheriff's Office that he was going through "a very difficult time."

"Just because there are inaccurate entries on time sheets, that does not mean that a crime has been committed," Hanson said. "I characterize this as a discretionary decision by our office that we sometimes make in a difficult situation."

Once Libengood offered to resign, Hanson said he felt prosecution was no longer warranted.

Sheriff Richard Nugent called the prosecutor's decision "unusual" and said it was clear from the investigation that Libengood had not made a mistake on his time cards.

"Their response caught me off-guard," Nugent said Tuesday. "An accident is one or two times. But this was multiple times. And we only went back to Jan. 1."

Nugent said the department also turned down Libengood's request for a payment of 303 hours of accrued vacation time and 453 hours of sick time.

Comments on this article

by jesse	Oct 9, 2008 3:15 PM
Corruption!!I think the county should take over the sheriffs payroll!!!!

by Joe	Oct 9, 2008 1:25 PM
Rob is a tribute to mankind. He was my sons football coach and was great for the children. everyone makes mistakes. I mean after all the Sheriffs office almost made the "mistake" of letting their financial lady of the hook for a mere DUI!!

by Gary G	Oct 9, 2008 12:53 PM
Yea More corruption in the good ol boy network of Hernando county. Put him in jail, put him in jail, go to jail directly to jail don't pass go and quit collecting a check.

by john	Oct 9, 2008 12:52 PM
there more then just one doing it.if there is one thers more.check them all.

by sixpack	Oct 9, 2008 12:52 PM
I think Nugent should be impeached!!!

by Dawn	Oct 9, 2008 12:52 PM
So basically he got away with it. He should have been fired and prosecuted. He has ripped off the taxpayers and we need some justice.

by Mike	Oct 9, 2008 12:52 PM
Hey Mom, do an audit you will be surprised to find how many hours are not paid for because of dedicated people at the sheriff's office. Do what you want us to do find the facts before you accuse.

by Mike	Oct 9, 2008 12:52 PM
You people are like sharks in a feeding frenzy. Everyone of you want breaks, benefit of the doubt, you people have no idea what stress is. He resigned,leave him alone. You have no idea of what he has gone through the last year. HEARTLESS YOU ARE

by Harleyman	Oct 8, 2008 7:57 PM
Time to clean house of the good ole boys. Doesn't seem anyone is supervising anyone. Who signs off on his timecard? Who balances payroll? Am I missing something or is it just they have that country club mentality. They sure can hassle us, though.

by Another bad boy gone	Oct 8, 2008 5:57 PM
Here's a savings of 78K a year. He wasn't a good cop and they excuses stink. He should have been busted, likes hes done to others. He can go somewhere else and get a job. Glad he's gone and he should have taken his buddies with him.

by Beth	Oct 8, 2008 5:57 PM
It's an unusal decision because they state attorney would charge others. This is going to have backlash, watch and see. State attorney this will be used against you in defense by someone. Justice for all not justice for some.

by Katie	Oct 8, 2008 5:05 PM
If he could prove his innocence do you not think he would have fought a little harder- it is a blessing he resigned. Law enforcement look out!!!!

by hj	Oct 8, 2008 4:55 PM
he should sue for his vacation time.He would win as its is!

by Frank	Oct 8, 2008 4:51 PM
Rob Libengood is a good man who has had a very difficult time. He was an excellent cop and Supervisor. To bad this is another witch hunt. The man makes 78,000.00 a year, you tink he needs to steal 3 grand over 12 months? Come on !! to err is human

by mom	Oct 8, 2008 4:51 PM
ANOTHER GOOD TRICK FROM THE HCSO!! MABY WE AUGHTA AUDIT THEM ALL!!!

by Lee	Oct 8, 2008 4:50 PM
Good for you Sheriff Nugent--He doesn't deserve his accured leave time. I don't agree with the dropping of the investigation. He will most likely now just go to anothe agency and start as a Sgt. , or Lt. there. Watch out Pasco, Polk, or citrus.

by Sandi	Oct 8, 2008 4:45 PM
"Unusual" decision, this is a black and white area here, no gray. He either worked or he did not work the hours his time card said. Everyone goes through "difficult times", he should have talked to his superior, no job now more difficulties ahead.

by TELL US THE TRUTH	Oct 8, 2008 4:03 PM
"Their response caught me off-guard," Nugent said Tuesday. WAS THIS A PERSONAL VENDETTA? HE'S A BAD EXAMPLE FOR A SHERIFF. SOUNDS LIKE HE WANTED THE LT. ARRESTED TO PROMOTE ANOTHER FRIEND AS HE DOES. SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS AT THE COP SHOP.

by concerned	Oct 8, 2008 3:03 PM
I feel that Nugent is covering up for his own inadequatecies as Sheriff. I feel Nugent is trying to cover his own mistake of not checking payroll prior to vacations and sick time. Why did it take yr to notice if he was doing his job!!!!