Pasco Housing Authority director resigns over mismanagement, sex scandal

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - Bryan Clingan and Valerie Mooney came to Friday's Pasco County Housing Authority meeting still looking for answers as to why they were fired.

Valerie says she and others were let go by the Housing Authority after a whistleblower lawsuit surfaced charging their boss, executive director Karen Turner, with mismanagement, padding overtime of an employee and even having sex with a subordinate in the office.

Turner has denied the allegations. She did not attend this meeting but amid the controversy she submitted her letter of resignation.

She ended the letter by writing, "I wish the Pasco County Housing authority continued success and I want to thank everyone for a great opportunity that you have given me."

"Why is she leaving the agency? Because we wanted to get back to work," said Housing Authority board member Regina Mirabella.

The board members reluctantly accepted Turner's resignation saying the distraction caused by the lawsuit is too much to deal with, as is the media scrutiny.

"We are a small agency. Everyone can ask for the records but that takes time away from what we are doing and that is housing people," said Mirabella.

Valerie and Bryan left the meeting happy to see Turner resigned. They are hopeful one day they may get their jobs back.

"Whether I get it back or not, I want my name cleared, I want all that garbage out of my file. That's what I want," said Mooney.

Federal officials are investigating the Pasco County Housing Authority. And a complete overhaul of the board is expected soon.