TAMPA, FL -- Hillsborough County Commissioners voted this morning to begin the process of evicting a fired Sheriff’s Deputy from his rent-free home in Brandon’s Saladino Park.
Former Deputy Michael Cartwright is refusing to leave the home despite repeated requests from the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department to vacate the property.
An ABC Action News investigation last week reported that Cartwright has ignored repeated requests from the county to leave the property he's lived on for almost 20 years.
Cartwright was terminated by the Sheriff’s Department in August 2008 after two incidents where he pulled a gun on motorists during traffic disputes.
Cartwright’s attorney says his client is being targeted for retaliation for his involvement in union activities. Hillsborough County officials say the actions of the Parks Department and Sheriff’s Department are independent of each other.