Tampa’s code enforcement director has been fired after an FDLE investigation found he unlawfully cashed a $20,000 winning lottery ticket belonging to his employee. The incident marks the second scandal involving Keith O’Connor and his wife in just three years, reigniting questions about ethics in Florida’s largest cities.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Keith O’Connor fired December 3, 2025 after FDLE investigation confirmed he cashed employee’s winning ticket
- Employee Aubrey Pierce purchased the $20,000 ticket but couldn’t claim it himself due to outstanding child support obligations
- State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges despite finding conduct “suggestive of theft”
- O’Connor’s wife, Mary O’Connor, resigned as Tampa police chief in December 2022 after viral golf cart traffic stop incident
How the Lottery Scheme Unraveled
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Aubrey Pierce, a code enforcement employee, purchased a winning lottery ticket worth $20,000. However, he faced a critical problem: cashing the ticket himself would result in the entire amount being seized to cover his outstanding child support payments. In desperation, Pierce turned to his supervisor Keith O’Connor for help. O’Connor agreed to cash the ticket using his own name, allowing Pierce to receive the winnings without the state intercepting them.
The arrangement remained hidden until August 2025, when police arrested Pierce on separate charges including bribery by a public servant, unlawful disposal of hazardous waste, and grand theft. During the investigation into Pierce’s criminal activities, detectives discovered text messages between Pierce and O’Connor discussing the lottery ticket scheme. Alarmed by this evidence, investigators immediately referred the matter to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Investigation Findings and Criminal Decision
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The FDLE investigation confirmed that O’Connor had deliberately cashed Pierce’s lottery ticket to circumvent child support enforcement. Investigators found conclusive evidence that O’Connor knowingly participated in a scheme to help an employee evade legitimate financial obligations. In a damning assessment, the State Attorney’s Office memo stated that O’Connor’s conduct was “suggestive of theft” based on the circumstances.
Despite these findings, prosecutors declined to file criminal charges. According to the official statement, the State Attorney’s Office determined there was “insufficient evidence for a successful prosecution” to proceed with charges against O’Connor. This decision, while avoiding criminal prosecution, left the door open for administrative action by the City of Tampa.
| Key Information | Details |
| Ticket Amount | $20,000 |
| Employee Owing Support | Aubrey Pierce |
| Investigative Agency | FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) |
| Criminal Charges Filed | None, despite “theft-suggestive” conduct findings |
| Administrative Action | Immediate termination from position |
Mayor’s Statement on Accountability and City Values
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced the termination immediately after the FDLE concluded its investigation. In her official statement, Castor emphasized that the City of Tampa operates under strict standards of professional conduct. She stated: “Our organization is built on professionalism, accountability, and integrity. The community we serve expects and deserves the highest standards from all City employees, especially those in leadership positions.”
Mayor Castor’s message was unambiguous: despite the State Attorney’s decision not to prosecute criminally, the city’s own ethical standards demanded O’Connor’s removal. O’Connor’s supervisors independently determined that his actions violated the trust placed in city leadership and warranted immediate dismissal from his position as code enforcement director.
Part of a Pattern: The O’Connor Family Scandal Timeline
This firing represents the second major public embarrassment for Keith O’Connor and his wife Mary O’Connor in just three years. In December 2022, body camera footage from a traffic stop went viral showing Mary O’Connor, then-Tampa police chief, flashing her badge during an unregistered golf cart incident. The footage captured her telling a deputy, “I am the police chief in Tampa,” and asking the officer to “just let us go.”
That viral moment forced Mary O’Connor to resign within days, ending her brief tenure as Tampa’s top law enforcement official. Now, three years later, her husband faces similar consequences for abusing his position of authority. Aubrey Pierce remains suspended pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing related to his own arrests on bribery and theft charges.
“Our organization is built on professionalism, accountability, and integrity. The community we serve expects and deserves the highest standards from all City employees, especially those in leadership positions.”
— Mayor Jane Castor, City of Tampa
What Does This Scandal Reveal About Government Accountability?
The O’Connor firing raises important questions about how city governments balance criminal prosecution with administrative accountability. While the State Attorney declined to pursue charges, the city demonstrated it maintains its own enforcement mechanisms. This approach allows municipalities to protect public trust even when prosecutors assess criminal cases as unprovable. Did the city make the right call by acting independently of criminal prosecutors, or should the lack of criminal charges have stayed the administrative action?
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.