News Summary
Leonard Hardy Rose, a 50-year-old employee of St. Petersburg, was arrested for allegedly using a city-issued gas card to make unauthorized purchases exceeding $3,000. After a theft report prompted an investigation by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, evidence revealed Rose’s misuse of city resources between February 2024 and August 2025. The case highlights issues of public trust and the need for stricter oversight on city-issued assets.
St. Petersburg – Leonard Hardy Rose, a 50-year-old employee of the City of St. Petersburg, was arrested on September 4, 2025, after being charged with scheme to defraud. Rose allegedly misused a city-issued gas card to make unauthorized fuel purchases for personal vehicles, accumulating over $3,000 in fraudulent transactions.
The investigation into Rose’s actions began when the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office received a theft report on August 28, 2025. Following this report, detectives from the Sheriff’s Economic Crimes Unit initiated a thorough investigation, which included reviewing surveillance footage from local gas stations. This footage reportedly showed Rose fueling vehicles not owned by the city on multiple occasions between February 2024 and August 2025.
According to the findings, Rose was able to exploit the gas card system, racking up significant expenses through unauthorized purchases. It has been confirmed that officials discovered a total of unauthorized transactions that exceeded $3,000 during the investigation.
Following his arrest, Rose was transported to the Pinellas County Jail, where he is currently being held. The investigation surrounding this case is ongoing, as authorities work to uncover any further details regarding the misuse of city resources and potential additional incidents related to the fraudulent activities.
Details of the Misconduct
Leonard Hardy Rose, in his position as a city employee, was entrusted with a gas card intended for official use only. However, evidence suggests that he engaged in a prolonged scheme to use the card for personal gain. This conduct not only represents a breach of public trust but also raises questions about oversight mechanisms in place regarding city-issued resources.
Law Enforcement Involvement
Detectives from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s Economic Crimes Unit led the investigation into Rose’s fraudulent activities. Their inquiry included scrutinizing transaction records and analyzing video evidence collected from fuel retail locations across St. Petersburg. The investigation highlights the importance of vigilance and accountability in public sector employment, particularly concerning the use of taxpayer-funded resources.
Background Context
Instances of employee fraud, especially involving government resources, are taken seriously by law enforcement and local governments. Public trust is critical for community relations, and such fraudulent activities can undermine that trust. City officials are likely to reassess their policies regarding the monitoring and distribution of resources to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the need for stringent oversight and moral integrity within public service. Those entrusted with taxpayer-funded assets are expected to uphold a standard of conduct that reflects the responsibility of their positions.
Further developments in this case will determine Rose’s legal consequences and the actions the City of St. Petersburg will take in response to this breach of trust.
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Additional Resources
- Patch: St. Pete Beach Employee Misuses Gas Card
- Florida Politics: Gift Card Fraud Bill Advances
- WFLA: St. Pete Postal Worker Pleads Guilty
- St. Pete Catalyst: St. Petersburg and Skimming Trends
- ABC Action News: Protecting Against Skimmers
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Google Search: Public Trust in Government
- Google Scholar: Employee Fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Corruption
- Google News: Fraud in Public Sector
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
