Sanford officer fired for having affairs, lying

SANFORD – The second-highest ranking officer in the Sanford Police Department is being fired from his post for his extramarital affairs and lying about his actions, says a letter that cites conduct unbecoming an officer.

In a termination letter, Town Manager Mark Green cites Maj. Lyndon Abbott’s “open and notorious” extramarital affairs, and says Abbott lied about his actions under oath during the investigation.

Green’s letter says three women were involved in the affairs with Abbott, but doesn’t name them.

“As a member of the command staff you are charged with helping to lead an organization that, more than most, relies on honesty and personal integrity among its members. Your behavior reflects a blatant disregard for these qualities,” Green wrote in a six-page termination letter that was released Friday. It says Abbott’s behavior compromised his ability to do his job.

A 22-year veteran of the department, Abbott was commander of operations, overseeing the patrol division and detectives. His salary in 2004 was $64,887.

He was placed on administrative leave on Oct. 10, and plans to file a wrongful discharge suit against the York County town.

Abbott’s attorney, Gene Libby, said he also will argue that the investigation violated Abbott’s constitutional rights to privacy, free association and due process. Libby said he has a sworn affidavit by a member of the town finance committee that Green had decided to fire Abbott before holding hearings with him.

Green’s letter says Abbott admitted telling his wife he was out of town on police work when he was vacationing with another woman in Florida. It also says Abbott’s extramarital affairs were “widely known” within the department, that he involved a fellow department employee in arranging his Florida travel, and that he has demonstrated a pattern of dishonesty.