Published 8:56 PM EDT Oct 31, 2014
CASSELBERRY, Fla. —The number
of people leveling misconduct allegations against Casselberry's former Police
Chief Bill McNeil continues to grow. Casselberry Police Chief Bill McNeil
resigns amid an internal investigation into accusations of misconduct.
Casselberry Police Chief Bill McNeil resigns amid an internal investigation
into accusations of misconduct.
The attorney for three former
subordinates accusing McNeil of lewd behavior and verbal abuse said they have
evidence to back it up. McNeil resigned when the allegations came to light
earlier this week.
"We have a dozen or so
photographs and a videotape," said Carlos Burruezo, the claimants' attorney.
"They're traumatized. This has been going on for years. It's not a one or
two-week thing or a six-week thing. This has been open, and notorious and known
for some time."
A spokeswoman for the city of
Casselberry, Sara Brady, said no complaints against McNeil were ever received
through the normal complaint process. They don't know who the alleged victims
are.
"We have no victims. We
have no formal complaints. Nothing's been filed through the proper channels
within the city," Brady said. "Any kind of issue with an employee is
always taken seriously."
The alleged victims' attorney
said the three women were too scared of reprisals to go the official route. He
claims the city was informed by someone speaking on their behalf three weeks
ago.
"I can tell you my clients
are very fragile and it's taken a lot of courage to come forward,"
Burruezo said.
Burruezo said the number of
possible complainants could grow from three to five based on information
received Friday.
The decision to file suit he
said will depend on how the city of Casselberry reacts to these allegations.
