A former police chief in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, resigned in June after an investigation concluded he violated departmental policies, including those concerning improper conduct, moral character, and engaging in sexual activity while on duty. The inquiry stemmed from allegations that Michael Giddens, who was a lieutenant at the time the case began, had an affair with the wife of a man he was investigating.
The investigation, conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Lake County Sheriff's Office, found that while Giddens did not commit any criminal offenses, his actions constituted policy violations. The results were released in late July.
The case against the suspect for contractor fraud was initiated in December 2024. According to the report, Giddens initially communicated with the man before he stopped responding. In March 2025, Giddens allegedly contacted the suspect's wife to facilitate communication with her husband. Their interactions reportedly evolved from professional to personal, leading to meetings at local hotels while Giddens was on duty. The report states they engaged in sexual activity on two occasions.
The relationship reportedly ended by the close of 2025, as the woman began a new relationship. Giddens was promoted to Chief of Police in October 2025, prior to the allegations becoming public.
An ethics violation complaint was filed in November 2025, followed by an anonymous complaint received by the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills in May 2026, which triggered the formal investigation. In his resignation letter, Giddens stated he maintained high professional standards and did not want his personal life to detract from the department's work.