CLEARWATER, Fla. – A Clearwater Police officer, Scott Penna, was arrested and charged Thursday with grand theft, scheme to defraud, and pension fraud following an investigation into workers’ compensation and pension fraud.

Penna, who has been with the agency since 2013 and served in the Patrol Division, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

“As soon as we became aware of the potential fraud, we immediately launched a criminal investigation and internal investigation,” Police Chief Eric Gandy said.

Penna had been on and off light duty after an incident on Jan. 18, 2023, when he was trying to remove an uncooperative subject from the back of his cruiser.

The initial notice-of-injury report said that he worked the rest of his shift and was not expected to miss any work time. Penna eventually had two different surgeries on his right arm and had been on light duty much of the time since the incident. On Feb. 22, 2024, he applied for a disability pension with the city, saying he could no longer perform the job of a police officer because of continued limitations with his right hand. On March 4, 2024, he said he could no longer drive to work for his light-duty assignment.

The city’s Risk Management Department became skeptical and began an investigation. It found that Penna drove his personal vehicle often, could use both hands, and lifted weights at the gym.

“The behaviors exhibited on surveillance video were inconsistent with his alleged disability and limitations,” Gandy said. The chief said that Penna’s actions were an affront to officers who might truly need a disability pension.

“It’s reserved for people who really can’t do the job anymore. The officers and taxpayers pay into the system to ensure our first responders are protected and shouldn’t have to worry about someone trying to dupe the system.”

Penna was placed on administrative leave June 17 and will remain there through the course of the ongoing internal investigation.