Calls for investigation after FMPD inspector general accused department of corruption

The City of Fort Myers is looking for ways to handle accusations of police misleading city leaders, taxpayers and covering it up. The Fort Myers inspector general said those at the top of the police force, including the chief, are at the root of the problem.

He resigned after making the accusations against the department.

WINK News has heard from city council members demanding an investigation and using words like ‘leave’ and ‘firing.’ But the man who would have to order the investigation, City Manager Marty Lawing, is not ready to go that far.

On Monday morning, Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson told the city manager he wants an independent investigation.

“I will not stick my head in the sand. I believe if I don’t call for it to be investigated, then I become complicit in it. And I will not be complicit in wrongdoing,” said Mayor Anderson.

The police department’s inspector general, Donald Oswald, came forward with the damning allegations and accused Chief Derrick Diggs of retaliation in his resignation letter.

Oswald Wrote:

My consistent refusal to compromise my honor and integrity has sometimes come with a cost. In this instance, I have endured overt retaliation and I am now being forced out of my position.

In a statement on Oswald’s resignation and claims about the police department, City Manager Marty Lawing said:

Mr. Oswald’s sudden resignation has come as an unexpected event. The role of Inspector General within the police department was an important one. However, while I was knowledgeable that an Internal Affairs Investigation was conducted, I was not contacted by Mr. Oswald directly immediately prior to his resignation to discuss his intent and specific concerns. As such, my administration is gaining a better understanding of the sequence of events and taking another look at the Internal Affairs Investigation document, especially the sworn statements by the officers present during the meeting in question. I encourage everyone to review the transcribed depositions.

At the heart of all this, construction of the new police department headquarters.

Oswald claims FMPD Major William Newhouse angrily directed a lieutenant ‘not to mention the anticipated the increased cost to anyone on the city council until after they spend the 36 million already budgeted and are in too deep to back out.’

He believed that the entire plan was doomed from the beginning. “It was handled as a sham from the beginning. The chief didn’t appreciate the accusation.