By Willoughby Mariano
Orlando Sentinel
FLORIDA — Orange County jail officials are conducting an internal investigation after a former major was stopped on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute near the Florida Mall. Richard “Andy” Anderson, a 27-year jail veteran, was still employed by the jail when deputies stopped him March 31 near South Orange Blossom Trail and Sun Lite Path, jail spokesman Allen Moore said. Deputies said they saw Anderson pick up a woman they thought was a prostitute about 11 p.m. His Toyota pulled onto Sun Drive, a poorly lit, dead-end street and deputies pulled it over, according to a report. Anderson told them he didn’t make a financial arrangement with her. He then signed a statement saying he offered her a ride, but when she offered to have sex with him for $500, he told her to get out. Deputies did not arrest Anderson. Instead, they forwarded their report to the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office so prosecutors can decide whether to charge him, Moore said. Anderson retired from his jail post the next day.
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