CHAMPIONS GATE, Fla. – Two Florida Highway Patrol officers are out of a job and facing criminal charges after investigators say they billed a private resort community for days they never showed up to work. News 6 took a closer look at how FHP handles off-duty pay.
FHP Captain Lenita King and Trooper Maurice Vilsaint were arrested and charged with grand theft, fraud, and falsifying an official document.
Champions Gate is a private resort and golf community just south of Disney. They hire off-duty law enforcement officers to patrol the area. According to an arrest affidavit, both King and Vilsaint were paid directly through their own companies, not through FHP.
State records confirm King’s company, Encore Security Services LLC, belongs solely to her.
The affidavit states Champions Gate paid Vilsaint through MNEWARKVIL LLC, which he created in 2023.
FHP’s Office of Inspector General opened an investigation in April. Investigators found the two troopers billed Champions Gate for days when they never showed up.
FHP’s off-duty system differs from other agencies
Most law enforcement agencies collect off-duty pay on behalf of their officers, then distribute it. Orlando Police Department’s website states that payment must be submitted to “Off Duty Management.” Orange County Sheriff’s Office handles billing and collection the same way, according to its website.
FHP works differently. At FHP, off-duty work arrangements often go directly through the trooper. Some troopers receive checks written in their name. Others form their own LLCs to limit liability and get paid directly by the companies that hire them.
News 6 asked FHP why it tasks troopers with forming their own companies, and whether enough oversight exists for off-duty work. FHP had not responded.
Investigation could expand
Sources tell News 6 that other troopers could now be under scrutiny for their own off-duty work arrangements.
King and Vilsaint have both been terminated from FHP.