Another Great Day in History with Lee B

Former Lee Sheriff's office commander denied appeal of resignation

By Naples Daily News staff report

Originally published 08:30 a.m., May 26, 2009
Updated 10:00 a.m., May 26, 2009


LEE COUNTY — A former Lee County Sheriff's Office captain is not allowed to appeal his resignation from the agency, a civil service panel decided in a unanimous vote.

Dominick Ferrante, the former commander of the Special Investigations Division, resigned on March 4, following allegations he threatened retaliation against another captain and then failed a polygraph test.

The decision means the 16-year officer will not be able to contest his treatment by calling witnesses and presenting evidence.

"You just saw justice in action," an angered Ferrante said after the vote. "I didn't even get what murderers and drug dealers get."

Today's vote held that the agency Civil Service Board did not have jurisdiction to hear an appeal, as Ferrante was not disciplined, but submitted a formal letter of resignation. Ferrante's request for appeal also fell outside the 15-day window mandated by Florida law. Ferrante held that because he was told to either resign or be fired, his resignation equated to termination.

The five-person board unanimously rejected that interpretation.

Also present at the meeting were Ferrante's wife; his brother, former Chief Deputy Charles Ferrante; and Lee Bushong, a former lieutenant who ran Dominick Ferrante's intelligence section. Bushong was terminated for sending a profane email to a subordinate and then confronting the deputy who complained about it. Bushong will have a full hearing next week.

Charles Ferrante announced his retirement almost immediately after his brother's resignation. In the days before he left, he came under scrutiny for several complaints against him, but no internal investigations were ever completed.

Sheriff Mike Scott has said Dominick Ferrante failed a polygraph test about an alleged threat he made to another captain. That captain, Gary Kamp, commander of the training division, had intercepted a gun purchase Ferrante intended for his men, claiming the order circumvented chain of command. In response, Kamp said, Dominick threatened to retaliate.

Scott said Kamp passed a polygraph test.

Much of the 30-minute meeting centered on the purpose of the meeting, which Ferrante once referred to as a "hearing to have a hearing." The merits of Ferrante's case were not for discussion, said Robert Shearman, a Fort Myers attorney and the non-voting chairman of the panel.

But Ferrante noted that panel members had not received the memorandum in which he states his case. He, in turn, had not received a copy of the Sheriff's Office memorandum to the board, stating its case, he said.

Ferrante's request for a continuance was denied

And Ferrantes worked for Mike Scott. And Bushong worked for the Ferrantes.

The only thing wrong with Bushong and the other guys is that they took their orders from Mike. It is readily apparent that Mike rules with fear and intimidation. Look how he treats people who stand up to him (like Bushong) and how he sets out to destroy anything that challenges his authority (like a busted Sgt. Union).

I'll take Bushong and his profane mouth (if that ever really happened). A profane mouth won't fire me for no reason and wreck the lives of so many officers

And Ferrantes worked for Mike Scott. And Bushong worked for the Ferrantes.

The only thing wrong with Bushong and the other guys is that they took their orders from Mike. It is readily apparent that Mike rules with fear and intimidation. Look how he treats people who stand up to him (like Bushong) and how he sets out to destroy anything that challenges his authority (like a busted Sgt. Union).

I'll take Bushong and his profane mouth (if that ever really happened).

They did work for Mike and when they decided to act on their own behalf and not the Sheriff's Office....they got fired. Mike's biggest mistake was the Ferrante brothers and Lee Bushong. Bushong let his promotions all go right to his head and feed his big ego riding the tales of anyone who he thought could take him up.

Once all three were let go and all the fear and intimidation left with them, all the IA's slowed to a grinding hault.

If you are sooooo blind you can 't really believe if it happened, get glasses and read whats above! We know the truth hurts....sometimes being in make believe land makes the truth easier to handle. :snicker: :snicker:

I am union and I want a raise also, but don't let your hate blind you from the truth.

Once again, MOD 610, I just read in this string unsupported allegations against Bushong, the Ferrantes.

Once again, MOD 610, I just read in this string unsupported allegations against Bushong, the Ferrantes.

I agree take off everything but the first post. This is a site about personal opinion and a few facts and any cursing should be removed. :evil:

[Mod 610]

I took out the parts that were TOU. There are no other TOU violations here but they are getting close. Other than what I removed this is a professional conversation.

Hi, MOD 610, it's me again.

Your selective editing continues. You deleted everything I wrote which was unfavorable toward you but you left the following in other posts to this string...

"It is readily apparent that Mike rules with fear and intimidation." (I happen to agree but what proof was offered?

"Look how he treats people who stand up to him (like Bushong) and how he sets out to destroy anything that challenges his authority (like a busted Sgt. Union)."

How do you justify removing my post while leaving the above and myriad other unsubstantiated statements in? Oh, right, opinion, "professional conversation." What incredible nonsense you like to pedal here. I do believe I was stepping on your friends toes. You appear suspiciously fraudulent and to have an agenda. I believe you should consider resigning and let an impartial individual, if that particular species exists in Lee County, take over as moderator. Hope some people read this before you relegate it to the trash can.

Hi, MOD 610, it's me again.

Your selective editing continues. You deleted everything I wrote which was unfavorable toward you but you left the following in other posts to this string...

How do you justify removing my post while leaving the above and myriad other unsubstantiated statements in?

Its simple.... when you use profanity, racial, threatening, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, or indecent language..... it will be removed.

Try having a professional conversation with your opinion and exclude and refrain from using all the TOU violations.

My dear At ABC,

My post contained nothing of what you mentioned. It did contain pointed criticism's of certain individuals MOD 610 seems determined to protect. For your benefit, I'll name names. Colonel James Gil Allen, who I understand refused a invitation to come ride an evening in Lehigh with one of our recent retires (I'm sure you can figure out who that would be, it was the senior sergeant who was sent to Lehigh by Gil (according to another retiree who with his staff position tried to get the guy something more appropriate yo his age and experience but was overruled as usual) and earned the respect of his deputies and others just by his nature, then his ex-wife, after setting up and managing the drug room for years was suddenly told by Major (I have motorcycle models on my wall because I have no education) Jones that the drug room was a mess and she was already transferred to the jail.. She was then transferred to communications where, on her first day, was told by Major Gene Sims to take the buyout or a cut in pay to an unlivable wage. Have you AT ABC or you Mod 610, ever read or enforced Florida's extortion statute? I have. The one naughty word I used was "*******s" which pales in comparison to language Mod 610 regularly fails to edit. It also contained my accusation that Mod 610 is in someone's hip pocket at LCSO. Your naivete', AT ABC, in defending the high ideals of this website and the intentions of Mod 610 is honorable but, in my opinion and mine only only, misguided. Just wait until the 2016 race to see who Mod 610 protects then. Okay Mod, delete away. AT ABC, be safe out there.

Bump the truth