WFTV 9 NewsFRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is expected to release the details of an investigation into two former Fruitland Park police officers who may have ties with the Ku Klux Klan.
An FBI investigation named Deputy Police Chief David Borst and Cpl. George Hunnewell as Klansmen.
Borst resigned Thursday while Hunnewell was fired on Friday.
Police Chief Terry Isaacs said an FBI confidential source revealed the two officers from his department were members of the KKK.
Isaacs called the allegations “despicable and disgusting.” He said there was no proof or documentation the men were members, aside from information from the source.
Because it’s not criminal to be in the KKK, the FBI turned the investigation over to the FDLE to look into the standards and ethics policies to see what action should be taken.
FDLE officials also agreed it was not criminal and referred the case to the chief.
On Friday, Isaacs began preparing an internal investigation and put the men on administrative leave.
But when Borst was called into the chief’s office, he immediately resigned and denied everything.
Borst was a veteran officer with more than 20 years of law enforcement service.
The chief asked the city manager for approval to fire Hunnewell based on a review of Hunnewell’s record with the police department.
Hunnewell has been demoted and faced counseling and disciplinary action in the past.
The FBI assured the chief that there were no other officers involved.
The nature of the FBI’s initial investigation was not immediately known.
At this time, the officers will keep their law enforcement certifications.
In 2009, former Fruitland Park officer James Elkins resigned after admitting to Channel 9 that he was a local KKK leader.
Pictures surfaced of Elkins in KKK gowns and hoods with his hand on his gun.
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/2-fruitland-park-officers-job-following-fbi-invest/ngdpY/