Clearwater Cop Investigated For Alleged Misuse of State Database

A Clearwater Police officer is being investigated by his department following allegations he illegally used a state database to help a Palm Harbor woman find information about her estranged husband, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

According to the newspaper:

A felony computer-crimes charge has been referred to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office against Lt. Richard Crean, 45, a patrol commander who has worked at the Clearwater department for 21 years.

If charges proceed, Crean could face a prison sentence of up to five years, the Times reports.

A South Pasadena woman alleges that Crean looked up her license plate number and passed along personal information to Laura McLynas, 44, of Palm Harbor, and that she was targeted because she is a friend of McLynas' estranged husband. The couple has been involved in a child custody battle, according to the report.

Read more details in the Times' story.