Frank LaRosa has threatened to beat down the Lehigh Acres Gazette Publisher after the Community Council Meeting Monday night……. The confrontation happened in the sheriff’s department parking lot.
LaRosa is upset about the article the Lehigh Acres Gazette wrote on May 13, 2016.
Frank LaRosa Files to Run for Political Office Again?
Frank LaRosa is currently running as a candidate for Lehigh Acres Fire District. He served on the Lee Memorial Health System board from 2006-2010 and also has served as a Lehigh Acres Fire commissioner for more than 10 years.
It was determined in 2012 that former Lee Memorial Health System (LMHS) elected director Frank LaRosa was receiving unemployment compensation he did not deserve. Elected officials in the state of Florida do not qualify to receive unemployment. But, LaRosa filed an appeal concerning his unemployment compensation claim and has officially lost.
Kristin Lock, a public relations representative for the State of Florida unemployment office, did state LaRosa received unemployment.
LaRosa, when reached for comment for the Jul 3, 2012 article in the Lehigh Acres Gazette, he replied with a string of expletives not suitable for repetition. But during a phone interview with the Lehigh Acres Gazette for the Aug 26, 2012 article, LaRosa stated he gave all his unemployment compensation to a family in need that lives in a trailer. But he refused to give the name or address of that family. Also, he stated all his income from serving on the LMHS board member went to the needy. However, again LaRosa refused to reveal to whom he gave made these charitable donations too.
According to a story on the Lehigh Acres Citizen dated 2/27/2013 – “Frank LaRosa, a member of the LACCP, who recently served for six years on Lee Memorial System’s Board of Directors, told the board he had plans to speak personally with Jim Nathan, who heads Lee County Health Systems.”
According to documents at the LMHS, LaRosa had a meeting scheduled this week with LMHS President Jim Nathan but the meeting as abruptly canceled by LaRosa. Documents show the cancelation of the meeting was due to LaRosa so called being ill but according sources when LaRosa learned that the LMHS could be asking him for full reimbursement for all taxpayer dollars that the health system had to use to defend the case that’s when he canceled the meeting.
Documents shows that LaRosa filed for unemployment in January 2011 claiming “lack of work,” receiving $135 a week – money a Florida administrative judge said he wasn’t entitled to because he wasn’t an employee.
“It’s in the code of ethics and Florida law. That’s something that is out there,” said Jim Humphrey, counsel for Lee Memorial Health System.
In a statement from the Department of Economic Opportunity, officials said there have been no charges of fraud against LaRosa so far.
Larosa said he believed it was OK to file for unemployment. He said later he thought he was eligible since the state didn’t original deny him.
“He knew it at the time he filed that he should not have filed,” said Jim Humphrey, counsel for Lee Memorial Health System.
Larosa lost his bid for reelection to the LMHS board in November 2010 and subsequently filed for unemployment benefits claiming there was no work available.
Documents shows that LaRosa filed for unemployment in January 2011 claiming “lack of work,” receiving $135 a week – money a Florida administrative judge said he wasn’t entitled to because he wasn’t an employee.
“It’s in the code of ethics and Florida law. That’s something that is out there,” said Humphrey
In a statement from the Department of Economic Opportunity, officials said there have been no charges of fraud against LaRosa.
They also stated he is required to repay more than $5,500 – money the health system won’t get back until he pays up.
“If he is running for another public office, which is public trust, he would reimburse the health system and the state,” Humphrey said.
During a phone that 2013 interview, LaRosa said “I’m a millionaire and I’ll pay back the money”.
LaRosa is currently running as a candidate for Lehigh Acres Fire District.
As of August 17, 2016 LaRosa still has not paid back the money.