11-004343 John R. Nelson vs. Department Of Management Services, Division Of Retirement
 Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Thursday, March 8, 2012.


View Dockets  
Summary: Petitioner is not required to repay DROP monies due to being elected to public office within 6 months of completing DROP. Forfeiture provisions cannot be implied and must be strictly construed.

1STATE OF FLORIDA

4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

8JOHN R. NELSON , )

12)

13Petitioner, )

15)

16vs. ) Case No. 1 1 - 4343

24)

25DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT )

29SERVICES, DIVISION )

32OF RETIREMENT, )

35)

36Respondent. )

38)

39RECOMMENDED ORDER

41A hearing was held pursuant to notice, on January 1 1 , 20 1 2 ,

55in Tallahassee , Florida, by Barbara J. Staros, assigned

63Administrative Law Judge of the Division of Administrative

71Hearings.

72APPEARANCES

73For Petition er: Amy W. Schrader, Esquire

80Gray Robinson, P.A.

83Post Office Box 11189

87Tallahassee , Florida 32 302

91For Respondent: Elizabeth Regina Stevens , Esquire

97Courtney S trickland Brogan, Esquir e

103Department of Management Services

107Office of the General Counsel

1124050 Esplanade Way, Suite 1 60

118Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0950

123STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE

127Wh ether P etitioner must forfeit and repay distributions he

137received from the Deferred Retirement Option Program and

145subsequent monthly retirement benefits received as a consequence

153of his election to the position of County Commissioner of

163Jefferson County wi thin six months of terminating state

172employment.

173PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

175By letter dated February 1, 2011, Respondent , the Division

184of Retirement (Division) advised Petitioner John R . Nelson that

194the Division intended to void his participation in the Def erred

205Retirement Option Program . The letter further instructed

213Petitioner that he must repay all retirement benefits received,

222including the DROP accumulation, in the amount of $192,921.85.

232T he letter relied upon s ection s 1 2 1 . 021 ( 39 ) (b)2. and

250121.091(13)(c)5.d , Florida Statutes , as authority . The letter

258afforded Petitioner a point of entry to challenge Respondent ' s

269decision.

270Petitioner disputed Respondent ' s decision and timely

278requested an administrative hearing. The request for hearing

286was forwarded to the Division of Administrative Hearings on or

296about August 24 , 20 1 1 . A formal hearing was scheduled for

309October 26 , 20 1 1 . The Division filed an unopposed Motion for

322Continuance, which was granted. The hearing was rescheduled for

331January 11 , 2012. Petitioner filed a Motion for Leave to File

342Amended Petition for Formal Administrative Hearing, which was

350granted. The parties filed unilater al pre - hearing statements.

360At hearing, Petitioner testified on h is own behalf and

370offered the testimony o f Tyler M cN e i ll, John Nelson and Ira

385Gaines . Petitioner ' s Exhibit s numbered 1 through 7 w ere

398admitted into evidence. Respondent presented the testimony of

406one witness, Ira Gaines . Respondent ' s Exhibit s numbered 1

418through 4 w ere admitted into evidence.

425The hearing was not transcribed. The parties timely filed

434Proposed R ecommended Order s , which ha ve been duly considered in

446the preparation of this R ecommended O rder.

454References to the Florida Statutes will be to the 20 10

465version unless otherwise noted .

470FINDINGS OF FACT

4731. The Division of R etirement (Division) is, and was at

484the times material to this case, the state agency charged with

495the responsibility of administering the Florida Retirement

502System (FRS ) .

5062. Petitioner , John Nelson , was employed by the Department

515of Fina n cial Services (DFS) from October 1977 through July 31,

5272010. For the last five years of his employment with DFS,

538Petitioner participated in the Deferred Retirement Option

545Program (DROP).

5473. Prior to ending his DROP participation , Petitioner

555completed a DROP Termination Notification Form (DP - TERM Rev.

56506/06) on April 23, 2010, confirming he would terminate

574employment on July 31, 2010. The DROP Termination Notification

583was also signed by a representative from FRS confirming

592Petiti oner's employment termination date and reads in pertinent

601part:

602I understand that I cannot work for any

610Florida Retirement System (FRS) covered

615employer during the calendar month following

621my DROP termination date or my DROP

628participation will be null and void. If I

636fail to meet this requirement, I will

643forfeit my accumulated DROP benefit

648including interest. I also understand that

654I may not be reemployed by any FRS employer

663in any capacity including part - time,

670temporary, other personal services (OPS) or

676non - Division approved contractual services

682during the calendar month immediately

687following my DROP termination date. If I

694fail to meet this requirement, I will

701forfeit my accumulated DROP benefit,

706including interest retroactive to me

711enrollment date in the DROP.

7164. The above - referenced version of the DP - TERM (Revised

7286/06) has been incorporated by reference into Florida

736Administrative Code Rule 60S - 9.001(ee).

7425 . Due to significant statutory changes made by the

752Legislature, the Division sent to Petiti oner a secon d DROP

763Termination Notification , ( Form DP - TERM revised 04/10 ) which he

775signed on June 9, 2010 . The wording in the revised form

787refl ected statutory changes which would take effect July 1,

7972010. The revised form states in pertinent part :

806If your DROP termination date is on or after

815July 1, 2010: Your termination requirement

821means you cannot remain employed or become

828re - employed with any F lorida Retirement

836System (FRS) covered employer during the

842FIRST SIX calendar month s following your

849DROP t ermination date . This includes but is

858not limited to: Part - time work, temporary

866work, other personal services (OPS),

871substitute teaching or non - Division approved

878contractual services. During the 7th - 12th

885calendar months following your DROP

890termination da te, you may return to work for

899a participating FRS employer but must

905suspend your retirement benefit for any of

912these months your[sic] are employed. There

918are no reemployment exceptions during the

924reemployment limitation period. After the

92912th calendar m onth following your DROP

936termination date, there are no employment

942restrictions.

943If you fail to meet the termination

950requirements noted above, you will void

956(cancel) your retirement and DROP

961participation, you must repay all retirement

967benefits receive d including your DROP

973accumulation, and you must apply to

979establish a future retirement date. If you

986void your retirement your employer will be

993responsible for making retroactive

997retirement contributions and you will be

1003awarded service credit for the peri od during

1011which you were in DROP through your new

1019termination date. Your eligibility for DROP

1025participation will be determined by your

1031future retirement date and you may lose your

1039eligibility to participate in DROP.

1044(emphasis add ed) .

10486 . The revised form D P - TERM (Revised 04/10) has not yet

1062been adopted as a rule. At the time of hearing, r ulemaking had

1075been initiated .

10787. Petitioner terminated his employment with DFS on the

1087agreed termination date of July 31, 2010, and was no longer an

1099employee of DFS aft er that date.

11068 . Sometime between July 31, 2010 , and November 2010,

1116Petitioner was paid his accumulated DROP monies in the amount of

1127$181,635.09, in the form of a direct rollover into an eligible

1139retirement account. Petitioner was also paid monthly retir ement

1148benefits for the mo nths of August through November 2010, in the

1160total amount of $11,286.76. The Division deactivated

1168Petitioner's monthly retirement benefits in December 2011.

11759 . The total amount of retirement benefits paid to

1185Petitioner after ter minating employment with DFS is $191,921.85,

1195which the Division seeks to recover.

120110 . In April of 2010, at the urging of community members,

1213Petitioner registered to run for public office in Jefferson

1222County, Florida. He won the election and was sworn in t o office

1235as a Jefferson County Commissioner on November 16, 2010.

124411 . Tyler McNeill is the Chief Deputy Clerk and Human

1255Resources Officer for Jefferson County. Following Petitioner's

1262election as a County Commissioner, Mr. McNeill began to process

1272a sma ll packet of employment - related documents which he provides

1284to elected officials. Mr. McNeill went to Petitioner's home on

1294a Sunday evening to get the necessary papers signed.

130312. Prior to this meeting, Petitioner was unaware that

1312Jefferson C ounty partic ipates in the FRS. Petitioner described

1322his reaction to learning this as "shocking." When Mr. McNeill

1332and Petitioner got to the FRS form, Petitioner did not want to

1344sign it and informed Mr. McNeill of that. Mr. McNeill described

1355Petitioner as appearing physically ill, shocked, and "so ups et "

1365upon learning that the County was an FRS participating employer.

137513. On November 22, 2010, Petitioner and Mr. McNeill

1384called Ira Gaines, FRS Benefits Administrator , using a

1392speakerphone . At the time they placed this call, Petitioner had

1403not yet signed the employment documents supplied to him by

1413Mr. McNeill , and Petitioner informed Mr. Gaines of this.

142214. During this conversation, Petitioner expressed his

1429willingness to resign from office and refuse to accept pa yment

1440from the County for his newly elected position. According to

1450Mr. McNeill, Petitioner was not yet eligible to receive

1459compensation from the County because the employment papers had

1468not yet been processed. Mr. McNeill testified that he would

1478have bee n able to discard the documents .

148715. During this telephone conversation, Mr. Gaines advised

1495that Petitioner was legally a person employed by the County by

1506virtue of his being sworn into office on November 16, 2010.

1517Mr. Gaines equated bring sworn into of fice as being an employee.

1529At hearing, Mr. Gaines reiterated his position: that he did not

1540know any way Petitioner could not be enrolled in FRS when

1551occupying an elected position.

155516. As a result of this telephone conversation with

1564Mr. Gaines and in rel iance on Mr. Gaines' advice, Mr. McNeill

1576processed Petitioner's employment papers including the F RS

1584reenrollment form. Mr. Gaines then began receiving salary

1592payments for being a county commissioner.

159817. On December 6, 2010, Mr. Gaines sent a letter to

1609P etitioner stating that his election to the position of County

1620Commissioner had voided his DROP participation, and

1627consequently, Petitioner would have to repay $181,635.09 for the

1637DROP payment, and $11,286.76 in monthly retirement benefits .

1647The letter furt her informed that Petitioner will continue to

1657earn credit as an elected official in the Elected Officer's

1667Class of FRS membership and that Petitioner's retirement account

1676w ould be adjusted to reflect service from August 2005 through

1687July 2010 (h is DROP per iod) which he estimated would increase

1699Petitioner's retirement benefits by $1,200 per month .

170818. In response to the December 6, 2010 letter, Petitioner

1718appeal ed the voiding of his DROP participation. By letter dated

1729February 1, 2011, the Division denied the request. The

1738February 1 , 201 1 letter also informed Petitioner of his right to

1750request a hearing, which gave rise to this proceeding.

1759CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

17621 9 . The Division of Administrative Hearings has

1771jurisdiction over the parties and sub ject matter of this

1781proceeding. §§ 120.569 and 120.57(1), Fla. Stat. (2011) .

179020. This proceeding is de novo. § 120.57(1)( k ), Fla.

1801Stat. (2011).

180321 . The burden of proof in an administrative proceeding is

1814on the party asserting the affirmative of the issue unless the

1825burden is established otherwise by statute. Young v. State,

1834Dep ' t of Cmty . Aff . , 567 So. 2d 2 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1990); Balino v.

1852Dep ' t of HRS , 348 So. 2d 349 (Fla. 1st DCA 1977). T he Division ,

1868as the party asserting that Petitioner's benefi ts be repaid, has

1879the burden of proof in this proceeding.

188622 . The Division is the state agency responsible f or

1897administering the FRS . § § 121. 025 and 121.031 , Fla. Stat.

190923 . The 2009 and 2010 Legislatures enacted substantial

1918amendments to c hapter 121, Florida Statutes, the Florida

1927Retirement System Act. Section 121. 021 , as amended, reads in

1937pertinent part as follows:

1941( 10 ) "Employer" means any agency, b ranch,

1950department,. . .or any county agency,

1957branch, department, board. . . which

1963participates in the system for the bene fit

1971of certain of its employees. . .

1978(11) "Officer or employee" means any person

1985receiving salary payments for work performed

1991in a regularly established position. . . .

1999* * *

2002( 39 ) (a) "Termination" occurs, exc ept as

2011provided in paragraph (b), when a member

2018ceases all employment relationships with an

2024employer, however:

2026* * *

20292. For retirements effective on or after

2036July 1, 2010, if a member is employed by any

2046such employer within the ne xt six calendar

2054months, termination shall be deemed not to

2061have occurred. . . .

2066(b) "Termination" for a member electing to

2073participate in the Deferred Retirement

2078Option Program occurs when the program

2084participant ceases all employment

2088relationships with an employer in accordance

2094with s. 121. 091(13), however:

2099* * *

21022. For termination dates occurring on or

2109after July 1, 2010, if the participant

2116becomes employed by any such employer within

2123the next 6 calendar months, termination will

2130be deemed not to have occurred, except as

2138provided in s.121.091(13)(b)4.c.

21412 4 . Florida Administrative Code Rule 60S - 6.001(40) defines

"2152officer or employee" as any person receiving compensation for

2161work performed in a regularly established position with any

2170agency, including county agency board, which participates in the

2179FRS.

218025 . At the time Petitioner and Mr. McNeill initiated the

2191telephone call to Mr. Gaines, Petitioner was not yet an officer

2202or employee as defined in section 121.021(10) or r ule 60S -

22146.001(40), as he had not received compensation and was willing

2224to forego compensation. However, following the conversation

2231with Mr. Gaines, and in reliance thereon, Petitioner received

2240compensation for his position as County Commissioner and became

2249an off icer or employee as contemplated by those provisions . 1/

22612 6 . Section 121.091 reads in pertinent part as follows:

2272( 9 ) EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT;

2278LIMITATION. -

2280* * *

2283(c) Any person whose retirement is

2289effective on or after July 1, 2010, or whose

2298participation in the Deferred Reti r ement

2305Option Program terminates after July 1,

23112010 , who is retired under this chapter,

2318e xcept under the disability reti rement

2325provisions of subsection (4) or as provided

2332in s. 121.053, may be reemployed by an

2340employer that participates in a state -

2347administered retirement system and receive

2352retirement benefits and co mpensation from

2358that employer. However, a person may not be

2366reemployed by an employer participating in

2372the Florida Retirement System before m eeting

2379the definition of termination in s. 121.021

2386and may not receive both a salary from the

2395employer and retirement benefits for 6

2401calendar months after meeting the definition

2407of termination. However, a DROP participant

2413shall continue employment and rec eive a

2420salary during the period of participation in

2427the Deferred Retirement Option Prog ram, as

2434provided in subsection ( 13).

2439* * *

2442(1 3 ) (c) Benefits payable under DROP. -

2451* * *

24545. At the conclusion of the p articipant's

2462DROP, the division shall distribute the

2468participant's total accumulated DROP

2472benefits, subject to the following:

2477a. The division shall receive verification

2483from the participant's employer or employers

2489that the participant has terminated all

2495employment relationships as provided in s.

2501121.021(39) .

2503* * *

2506d. A DROP participant who fails to

2513terminate all employment relationships as

2518provided in s. 121.021(39) shall be deemed

2525as not retired, and the DROP elect i on is

2535null and void. Florida Retirement System

2541members h ip shall be reestablished

2547retroactively to the date of the

2553commencement of DROP, and each employer with

2560whom the participant continues employment

2565must pay to the Florida Retirement System

2572Trust Fund the difference between the DROP

2579contributions paid in paragraph (i) and the

2586contributions required for the applicable

2591Florida Retirement System class of

2596membership during the period the member

2602participated in DROP, plus 6.5 percent

2608interest compounded annually.

26116. The retirement benefits of any DROP

2618participant who terminates all employment

2623relationships as provided in s. 121.021(39)

2629but is reemployed in violation of the

2636reemployment provisions of subsection (9)

2641shall be suspended during those months in

2648which the retir ee is in violation. Any

2656retiree in violation of this subparagraph

2662and any employer that employs or appoints

2669such person without notifying the Division

2675of Retirement to suspend retirement benefits

2681are jointly and severally liable for any

2688benefits paid duri ng the reemployment

2694limitation period. The employer must have a

2701written statement from the retiree that he

2708or she is not retired from a state -

2717a dministered retirement system. Any

2722retirement benefits received by a retiree

2728while employed in violation of the

2734reemployment limitations must be repaid to

2740the Florida R etirement System Trust Fund,

2747and his or her retirement benefits shall

2754remain suspended until payment is made.

2760Benefits suspended beyond the end of the

2767reemployment limitation period apply toward

2772repay ment of benefits received in violation

2779of the reemployment limitation.

2783(emphasis add ed ) .

278827 . Petitioner argues that section 121.091(13)(c)6. i s

2797applicable whereas FRS argues that section 121.091(13)(c)5.d. is

2805applicable to Petitioner . FRS furt her asserts in its Proposed

2816Recommended Order that section 121.091(13)(c)6. applies only to

2824FRS members who have met the six - month termination requirement

2835set forth in section 121.021(39) and return to work in the

2846fo llowing six months. Petitioner , however , argues that section

2855121.091(13)(c)5. d . is intended only to apply where termination

2865of employment relationships, and the corre s po nding payment of

2876DROP benefits , is never made. Petitioner's situation d oes not

2886neatly fit into either statutory provision, so an analysis of

2896each provision is in order.

290128 . First, the definition of "termination" in section

2910121.021(39)(b)2 . states that for termination occurring on or

2919after July 1, 2010, if the participant becomes employed by any

2930such employer within the ne xt six calendar months, termination

2940shall be d eemed not to have occurred .

29492 9 . Section 121.091(13)(c)5.d. (asserted by FRS as

2958controlling) states that a DROP participant who fails to

2967terminate all employment relationships as provided in section

2975121.021(39 ) (which defines termination) shall be deemed as not

2985retired, and the DROP election is " null and void. " This part of

2997the statutory language appears to fit Petitioner's

3004circumstances. However, the section continues by describing a

3012method of payment by the employer, not the employee, to the

3023Florida Retirement System Trust Fund that does not fit

3032Petitioner's situation and that does not describe what is being

3042sought by the D ivision . That is, section 121.091(13)(c)5. d.

3053requires "each employer with whom the p articipant continues

3062employment" to pay the difference between the DROP contributions

3071paid in paragraph (i) (which deals with "contributions" from the

3081employer ) for retroactive reinstatement to FRS. It does not

3091describe, nor mandate, forfeiture of DROP mo nies by the DROP

3102participant who becomes reemployed by an FRS employer.

311030 . Section 121.091(13)(c)6 . (asserted by Petitioner as

3119controlling) addresses a DROP participant who terminates all

3127employment relationships as provided in s. 121.02 1(3 9 ) but is

3139re employed in violation of the reemployment provisions of

3148subsection (9) (which provides limitations to reemployment and

3156prohibits the person from receiving both a salary and retirement

3166benefits for six calendar months after meeting the definition of

3176termina tion) , and requires that the person's retirement benefits

3185be suspended "during those months in which the retiree is in

3196violation." Petitioner argues that Petitioner fits within this

3204provision because he terminated all relationships with his

3212original emplo yer, DFS, and became reemployed by Jefferson

3221County . Respondent asserts this provision only relates to those

3231employee s who are reemployed after the six months' prohibition

3241found in 121.039(39) but before 12 months have passed since

3251retirement.

325231 . While the interrelationship of these statutes is

3261confusing, Respondent's argument that section 121.091(13)5. d . is

3270controlling is more persuasive. This is because Petitioner,

3278although having terminated employment from DFS, did not meet the

3288definition of "termina tion" in 121.021(39) because he became

3297employed by "any such employer" within six calendar months of

3307terminating employment from FRS . Therefore, "termination will

3315be d eemed to have not occurred." § 121.021(39)(b)2., Fla. Stat.

332632 . However, Pet itioner argues in the alternative that,

3336even if section 121.091 (13)(c)5.d. is controlling, it does not

3346contain forfeiture provisions. Petitioner notes that the same

3354subsection contains language requiring forfeiture of retirement

3361benefits for those employe es who commit specif ied felonies while

3372employed. § 121.091(13)(j), Fla. Stat. Petitioner's argument

3379in this regard is well taken. "S tatutes imposing forfeiture

3389will be strictly construed in a manner such as to avoid the

3401forfeiture and will be liberally construed so as to avoid and

3412relieve from forfeiture." Williams v. Christian , 335 So. 2d 358 ,

3422(citing Ireland v. Thomas , 324 So. 2d 146,147 (Fla. 1st DCA

34341976) (holding that where[t]he statute does not clearly require

3443a forfeiture or irremediable penalty[n ]one should be supplied by

3453unnecessary implication.").

345633 . In his Amended Petition for Formal Administrative

3465Hearing, Petitioner asserts that FRS' intended action is

3473impermissibly based on an unadopted rule . S ection 120.57(1)(e),

3483Florida Statutes , pro hibits an agenc y or an administrative law

3494judge from basing agency action that determines the substantial

3503interests of a party on an unadopted rule. However, it is

3514unnecessary to address Petitioner's argument in this regard as

3523neither t he content of the n ew form, nor the old form to the

3538extent that it goes beyond the language of the controlling

3548statute, form s the basis of the determination of Petitioner's

3558interests . W hile the second DP - TERM form (revised 04/10)

3570informed Petitioner of FRS' position, the ag ency's notice letter

3580dated February 1, 2011, which forms the basis of this

3590proceeding, did not reference the form a s authority for its

3601decision. The notice letter referenced statutes as authority

3609and the determination made herein is based upon the control ling

3620statute s as described above.

362534 . Finally, Petitioner argues that Petitioner did not

3634violate termination or reemployment requirements because he is

3642an elected official. Section 121.053 reads in pertinent part as

3652follows:

3653Participation in the Ele cted Officers' Class

3660for retired members. -

3664( 3) On or after July 1, 2010:

3672(a) A retiree of a state - administered

3680retirement system who is elected or

3686appointed for the first time to an elective

3694office in a regularly established position

3700with a covered empl oyer may not reenroll in

3709the Florida Retirement System.

3713(b) An elected officer who is elected or

3721appointed to an elective office and is

3728participating in the Deferred Retirement

3733Option Program is subject to termination as

3740defined in s.121.021 upon complet ion of his

3748or her DROP participation period. An

3754elected official may defer termination as

3760provided in subsection (7).

3764* * *

3767(7) A member who is elected or appointed to

3776an elective office and who is participating

3783in the Deferred Retirement Option Program is

3790not subject to termination as defined in s.

3798121.021, or reemployment limitations as

3803provided in s. 121.091(9), until the end of

3811his or her current term of office or, if the

3821officer is consecutively elected or

3826reelected to an el ective office eligible for

3834coverage under the Florida Retirement

3839System, until he or she no longer holds an

3848elective office, as follows:

3852* * *

3855(a) At the end of the 60 - month DROP period:

38661. The of ficer's DROP account may not

3874accrue additional monthly benefits, but does

3880continue to earn interest as provided in s.

3888121.091(13). However, an officer whose DROP

3894participation begins on or after July 1,

39012010, may not continue to earn such

3908interest.

39092. R etirement contributions are not

3915required of the employer of the elected

3922officer and additional retirement credit may

3928not be earned under the Florida Retirement

3935System.

3936(b) An elected officer may voluntarily

3942terminate his or her elective office at any

3950tim e and receive his or her DROP proceeds.

3959However, until termination occurs, an

3964elected officer whose termination

3968limitations are extended by this section is

3975ineligible for renewed membership in the

3981system and may not receive pension payments,

3988DROP lump sum payments, or any other state

3996payment other than the statutorily

4001determined salary, travel, and per diem for

4008the elective office.

4011(c) Upon termination, the officer shall

4017receive his or her accumulated DROP account,

4024plus interest, and shall accrue and c ommence

4032receiving monthly retirement benefits, which

4037must be paid on a prospective basis only.

4045(emphasis supplied)

40473 5 . This case appears to be a case of first impression in

4061this regard . It is clear from reading section 121.053 that the

4073Legislature place d elected officials in a different category

4082from other government employees regarding termination

4088requirements . However, the language of section 121.053 does not

4098appear to fit Petitioner's circumstances. 2/ T his exemption

4107appears to apply to a member who is an elected officer and who

4120is participating in DROP at the same time.

412836 . Section 12 1 . 122 states that a retiree of a state -

4143administered retirement system who is initially reemployed on or

4152after July 1, 2010, is not eligible for renewed membership.

4162Th is is consistent with section 121.053(3)(a) , which also

4171prohibits a retiree of a state - administered retirement system

4181who is elected for the first time on or after July 1, 2010, from

4195reenroll ing in the FRS.

420037 . This statutory language is relevant in th at the

4211intended ag ency action of FRS , in addition to seeking

4221reimbursement of DROP monies, notified Petitioner that he would

4230continue to earn retirement credit as an elected official in the

4241Elected Officer's Class of FRS membership.

424738 . FRS relied o n section 121. 091(13)(c)5.d., which does

4258not contain a forfeiture provision. Because forfeiture

4265provisions must be strictly construed, forfeiture cannot be

4273implied. Further, b ecause Petitioner was reemployed after

4281July 1, 2010, he is not eligible to reen roll in FRS in the

4295Elected Officer's Class of FRS.

4300RECOMMENDATION

4301Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions

4310of Law set forth herein, it is

4317RECOMMENDED:

4318That th e Divisi on of R et irement enter a final order

4331rescinding the February 1, 2 011 , notification letter requiring

4340reimbursement of Petitioner's DROP distribution and

4346reimbursement of Petitioner's monthly retirement benefits from

4353August 2010 through December 2010 when those benefits were

4362discontinued; reinstating those monthly benefit s beginning six

4370month s following the completion of Petitioner's DROP period, and

4380nullifying Petitioner's reenrollment in the Elected Officers'

4387Class of FRS membership.

4391DONE AND ENTERED this 8 th day of March , 201 2 , in

4403Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

4407S

4408BARBARA J. STAROS

4411Administrative Law Judge

4414Division of Administrative Hearings

4418The DeSoto Building

44211230 Apalachee Parkway

4424Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 3060

4429(850) 488 - 9675

4433Fax Filing (850) 921 - 6847

4439www.doah.state.fl.us

4440Filed with the Clerk of the

4446Divisi on of Administrative Hearings

4451this 8 th day of March , 201 2 .

4460ENDNOTE S

44621/ Petitioner asserts that the doctrine of equitable estoppel

4471ap plies. That determination is beyond the scope of this

4481tr ibunal's authority, as it does not have jurisdiction to grant

4492equitable remedies. § 26.01 2, Fla. Stat.

44992/ What does not appear to have been contemplated by the

4510Legislature is Petitioner's unique circumstance: must a former

4518state employee who received h is or her DROP benefits refrain

4529from running from public office for six months after receiving

4539DROP benefits, or risk losing them by falling into the same

4550category as other government employees who are simply hired for

4560their positions, not elected to them.

4566COPIES FURNISHED :

4569Amy W. Schrader, Esquire

4573Gray Robinson, P.A.

4576Post Office Box 11189

4580Tallahassee, Florida 32302

4583aschrader@gray - robinson.com

4586Elizabeth Regina Stevens, Esquire

4590Department of Management Services

4594Office of the Gene ral Counsel

46004050 Esplanade Way, Suite 160

4605Tallahassee, Florida 32327

4608Elizabeth.Stevens@dms.myflorida.com

4609Courtney Strickland Brogan, Esquire

4613Department of Management Services

4617Division of Retirement

46204050 Esplanade Way, Suite 160

4625Tallahassee, Flori da 32399 - 0950

4631Courtney.Brogan@dms.myflorida.com

4632Sarabeth Snuggs , Director

4635Division of Retirement

4638Department of Management Services

4642Post Office Box 9000

4646Tallahassee, Florida 32315 - 9000

4651J as on Dimitris , General Counsel

4657Department of Management Services

4661Division of Retirement

46644050 Esplanade Way

4667Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0950

4672NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS

4678All parties have the right to submit written exceptions

4687within 15 days from the date of this recommended order. Any

4698exceptions to this recommended order should be filed with the

4708agency that will issue the final order in this case.

Select the PDF icon to view the document.
PDF
Date
Proceedings
PDF:
Date: 06/07/2012
Proceedings: Agency Final Order
PDF:
Date: 06/07/2012
Proceedings: Agency Final Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/08/2012
Proceedings: Recommended Order
PDF:
Date: 03/08/2012
Proceedings: Recommended Order (hearing held January 11, 2012). CASE CLOSED.
PDF:
Date: 03/08/2012
Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
PDF:
Date: 01/27/2012
Proceedings: Respondent's Proposed Recommended Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/27/2012
Proceedings: Petitioner's Proposed Recommended Order filed.
Date: 01/11/2012
Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
PDF:
Date: 01/10/2012
Proceedings: Petitioner's Response to Motion to Strike filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/10/2012
Proceedings: Petitioner's Response to Motion in Limine filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/09/2012
Proceedings: Petitioner's Unilateral Response to Pre-Hearing Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/09/2012
Proceedings: Respondent's Motion in Limine filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/09/2012
Proceedings: Respondent's Motion to Strike filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/09/2012
Proceedings: Respondent's Response to Prehearing Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/09/2012
Proceedings: Petitioner's Amended Response to First Request for Admission No. 3 filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/04/2012
Proceedings: Notice of Appearance (as co-counsel Courtney S. Brogan) filed.
PDF:
Date: 12/29/2011
Proceedings: Motion for Extension of Time to File the Joint Pre-hearing Stipulation filed.
PDF:
Date: 12/20/2011
Proceedings: Petitioner's Response to Respondent's First Request for Production filed.
PDF:
Date: 12/20/2011
Proceedings: Petitioner's Notice of Serving Answers to Respondent's First Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 12/19/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Motion for Attorney's Fees Pursuant to Section 57.105 filed.
PDF:
Date: 11/14/2011
Proceedings: Order Granting Motion to Amend.
PDF:
Date: 11/01/2011
Proceedings: Motion for Leave to File Amended Petition for Formal Administrative Hearing filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/27/2011
Proceedings: Order Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for January 11, 2012; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
PDF:
Date: 10/25/2011
Proceedings: Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for January 18, 2012; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
PDF:
Date: 10/24/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Motion for Continuance filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/21/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Response to Prehearing Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/10/2011
Proceedings: Petitioner's Response to First Request for Admissions filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/05/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Second Supplemental Answer to Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/04/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Supplemental Answers to Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/03/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Response to Petitioner's First Request to Produce filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/03/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Answers to Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/30/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Response to Petitioner's First Request for Admissions filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/23/2011
Proceedings: Notice of Service of Respondent's First Interrogatories to Petitioner filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/23/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Request for the Production of Documents filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/12/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Motion for Attorney's Fees and Costs filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/09/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Notice of Substitution of Counsel (Elizabeth Stevens) filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/08/2011
Proceedings: Respondent's Request for Admissions filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/01/2011
Proceedings: Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
PDF:
Date: 09/01/2011
Proceedings: Notice of Hearing (hearing set for October 26, 2011; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
PDF:
Date: 08/31/2011
Proceedings: (Corrected) Petition for Formal Administrative Hearing (as to exhibits only) filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/31/2011
Proceedings: Petitioner's First Request for Production from Respondent filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/31/2011
Proceedings: Petitioner's First Request for Admissions to Respondent filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/31/2011
Proceedings: Petitioner's Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/31/2011
Proceedings: Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/24/2011
Proceedings: Initial Order.
PDF:
Date: 08/24/2011
Proceedings: Order Transferring Matter to the Division of Administrative Hearings filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/24/2011
Proceedings: Petition for Formal Administrative Proceeding filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/24/2011
Proceedings: Agency action letter filed.

Case Information

Judge:
BARBARA J. STAROS
Date Filed:
08/24/2011
Date Assignment:
08/24/2011
Last Docket Entry:
06/07/2012
Location:
Tallahassee, Florida
District:
Northern
Agency:
ADOPTED IN PART OR MODIFIED
 

Counsels

Related DOAH Cases(s) (3):

Related Florida Statute(s) (11):

Related Florida Rule(s) (1):