CareerSource CEO Ed Peachey voted out

By Dave Jordan and Spectrum Bay News 9 Digital Team,
Last Updated: Monday, February 26, 2018, 9:15 PM EST

TAMPA — Beleaguered CareerSource Tampa Bay and CareerSource Pinellas CEO Ed Peachey was voted out of his position by the board of the organization on Feb. 26, 2018 by a 6-1 vote.

Peachy was first suspended without pay by CareerSource Tampa Bay on Feb. 2 during an investigation into the agency possibly reporting more people placed into new jobs than it actually had.

Members of the CareerSource Pinellas Board voted to form a committee to investigate the matter days later.

On Feb. 21, members of the Hillsborough County Commission voted to demand Peachey resign or face being fired. However, the commission did not have the power to actually fire Peachey.

That power lay with CareerSource Tampa Bay’s board members, who voted to terminate Peachey without cause on Monday. Peachey will be provided a 5-month severance package, but the funds will not come from taxpayer dollars, according to the organization.

Hillsborough County Commission chair Sandy Murman was the only commissioner to vote against the measure. Her objection stemmed from Peachey receiving a severance package.

“How could you approve severance when there could be fraudulent activity?” asked Murman. “It’s just not right.”

Under the terms of the separation agreement, Peachey received six months of severance and back pay dating up to Feb. 25.  Both he and his attorney declined to comment.

Looking forward, both county commissions are looking at completely revamping the power structures of CareerSource Pinellas and CareerSource Tampa Bay once the investigation is concluded.