Marco Island close to finishing investigation of police, fire chiefs

It should be confirmed Wednesday why Marco Island’s police chief and fire chief are being investigated and if they did anything wrong.

We know Tuesday it has something to do with vaccine distribution.

”Related to access to the Eventbrite system,” City Manager Mike McNees said.

McNees told us he’s about done wrapping up the investigation. McNees says he’s clear about what happened, but he said he needs to bring Police Chief Tracy Frazzano and Fire Chief Chris Byrne together one last time for questioning. Both were placed on administrative leave at the start of the investigation.

When McNees met us at the police department, he wouldn’t tell us if the two City employees inappropriately gave out vaccines.

“We have defended that issue all the way that it’s not who you know,” McNees said.

He did say both have worked very closely in Marco’s rollout from the beginning.

“The fire chief helped set up that process. In fact, he’s responsible for us even being able to provide vaccines on Marco Island, so he’s been involved in that from the beginning,” McNees explained. “The police department has been there helping with the distribution and helping with crowd control.”

Some on Marco just hope for the best.

“I hope that maybe there was a miscommunication,” Ken Lage said. “If maybe there was something going on, I hope they’re both cleared.”

McNees told us Marco Island will be announcing Wednesday if there will be any disciplinary action taken.

“The whole issue of the vaccines is really sensitive, and everyone is trying to get one,” McNees said. “And there’s an awful amount of speculation, and all I got to say to people is this is not going to drag out.”