Kingsley Pays Back Rest Of Tuition Money

BROOKSVILLE - County Commissioner Chris Kingsley on Monday turned back $882 in tuition reimbursement money he got from Hernando County for classes he took at St. Leo University in 2001, according to the county finance department.
The payment comes about two-and-a-half weeks after Kingsley paid back an additional $3,681 in tuition assistance he gained in 2007-08 to pursue a master's in business administration.
Grand total returned to county coffers: $4,563.
Kingsley did not return a phone call or e-mail Monday.
When he returned the $3,681 last month, Kingsley said he did it after Circuit Court Clerk Karen Nicolai and her department attorney expressed concerns about it.
The 2001 payments, which were approved at the time by ex-Human Resources director Barbara Dupre and former county administrator Paul McIntosh, were made during Kingsley's first term as commissioner. He subsequently was defeated in his re-election bid by Republican Robert Schenck.
The 2001 payments went toward two business administration education courses, according to the finance department. The payments were also approved by the clerk of the circuit court's office.
Because Kingsley is not a county employee, he is not entitled to tuition reimbursement. Nicolai said she caught the 2007-08 payments after the county commissioners' budget came in above expenses. She saw the Kingsley line items for tuition and, after consulting with her department attorney, immediately notified the commissioner.
Kingsley maintains he was entitled to the money. And, in a letter to Hernando Today last week, Kingsley said he believes "all employees should take advantage of college reimbursement programs" because it "enhances their abilities and provides better service to the community."
Kingsley said he got the necessary approvals at the time and questioned why Circuit Court Clerk Karen Nicolai waited so long to air her concerns.
In paying back the tuition money, Kingsley said he wanted to make sure there is no perception of wrongdoing on his part.
Nicolai said Monday she assumed that Kingsley had not taken any courses prior to 2007. Also Kingsley had not mentioned anything about any prior courses, she said.
Nicolai said the first she heard about the 2001 courses was from a Hernando Today reporter.
She then launched a data search and found the earlier reimbursements, she said.
Nicolai said the case is now closed.
"I think (Kingsley) relied on the Human Resources Department's interpretation, saying that he was covered under the reimbursement policy.
He wasn't, she said.