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Highlands Today

Sports Complex Manager Fired Over Missing Tourney Fees

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By Bill Rogers | Highlands Today

Published: July 2, 2008

Updated: 07/02/2008 06:19 pm

SEBRING — Highlands County Sports Complex Manager Rocky Ellingsworth was fired by Highlands County administration Wednesday for using his county position for personal profit, according to a press release from the county.

Specifically, he is accused of using his relationship with a company called Strike Three Softball Inc. to recruit a tournament played at the sports complex, but instead of turning over to the county the fees paid by the teams, he apparently pocketed the majority of the funds. Payroll records indicate he was paid for 20 hours time during the two days the tournament was held.

Information obtained from the Web site, strikethreefl.com, promoted a "College Exposure Tournament" that was played at the sports complex over the June 7-8 weekend. Fifteen teams signed up and paid $450 each, or $6,750 total.

Teams were required to fax their entry forms to a number at the Highlands County Sports Complex, but mail their entry fee checks to Ellingsworth's home address in Gibsonton. Part of the promotional information boasted: "College coaches will have an air conditioned observation tower with Internet access."

"It was a joke," Elllingsworth said of his reaction to being terminated. "I find it to be convenient; it's a smoke screen."

Under county policy, tournament directors are required to pay the county $40 per team to use the fields. Tournament directors are responsible for paying the umpires as well as for any trophies and prizes given to the teams. The Highlands County Tourist Development Council pays the teams' entry fees into the tournament as part of the cooperative relationship between the Highlands County Commission and the TDC to bring visitors to the county.

Part of the job description for the sports complex manager is to "prepare(s) marketing strategies for large special events. Solicit(s) leagues and individual participants. Serve(s) as Tournament Director for a variety of sports meets and tournaments."

When the sports complex manager organizes and promotes a tournament, individual teams pay a $250 fee to the county. When private tournament directors organize events, they collect whatever the market will bear.

Of the seven tournaments held at the complex to date, six have been organized by outside tournament directors and one by county staff. County records indicate Ellingsworth turned in $600 in cash (15 teams x $40) to the county on June 18 after being questioned by superiors as to why the county's portion of the proceeds had not been deposited. The receipt, signed by Ellingsworth, was to Strike Three Softball Inc., with an Ocoee, Fla., address.

Gloria Rybinski, the county's public information coordinator, said she didn't have a specific amount of money Ellingsworth allegedly took.

Ellingsworth said the $6,750 was used for umpires, field rental and food for coaches and umpires. He said at least $2,500 went to umpires.

On his employment application, Ellingsworth listed prior employment as a part-time tournament director with Strike Three Inc. in addition to his job with the Polk County Recreation Department.

During his employment with Highlands County, he filled out a request for outside employment as an umpire but did not indicate he would be doing any other outside work. Employees are required by county policy to seek permission to hold jobs other than their normal employment.

Florida Secretary of State records indicate Strike Three Softball Inc. is a for-profit company with its secretary listed as Patricia Ellingsworth, whose home address is the same as Ellingsworth. The registered agent is Harlan Rosenberg of Ocoee, Fla.

Information pertaining to Ellingsworth's actions has been turned over to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office to make a determination if a criminal offense was committed.

Ellingsworth said he has already filed a grievance and plans to contact an attorney.

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