Richard Rober was calm as he sat chatting Thursday about his accomplishments as mayor of Port Richey.
He’s most proud of the city's new equipment for first responders, park renovations and getting the budget out of the red.
"We've done a lot of good things,” he said. “They know it; they see it. They know things are different."
Those changes are now overshadowed by scandal, as Rober finds himself facing legal action from the IRS for under-reporting his income from a business he and his wife, Averill, formerly owned, Gator Water and Wastewater Management.
Rober announced his resignation Wednesday, which becomes effective Saturday, by reading from a prepared statement. Thursday, he spoke candidly with Bay News 9.
"My actions from the past have caused me to fail my community,” he said. "We accept responsibility completely and solely. No ambiguity about my words whatsoever. We did that and we'll pay the price for it.”
While Rober, 52, readily admits his wrongdoing, his lawyer advised him not to go into details. But Bay News 9 obtained a copy of a sworn deposition he made in 2009, shortly after Gator’s new owners realized the books were off and filed a lawsuit.
The suit alleges Rober funneled about half a million dollars of company money into a personal fund that was hidden from accountants. Rober admitted in the deposition to spending money from the fund on his home, boat and cars.
Take, for example, this excerpt:
Question: Was that the down payment for the Hummer?
Answer: Yes.
Question: For $5,000?
Answer: Yes.
Rober said Thursday the city will be in good hands after his departure.
"The four men and women that I sit with, they can take care of business,” he said. "I have no reservations about City Hall whatsoever."
Vice Mayor Bill Colombo will take over his responsibilities until the city holds a special election for a new mayor. City officials and the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections are working together to determine a date.