Former Howey-in-the-Hills Police Chief Michael Giddens quietly resigned while under an FDLE investigation after internal investigators concluded he was having a sexual relationship with the estranged wife of a man he was actively investigating, including encounters that took place while he was on duty. The town accepted his resignation effective June 3 and released the completed findings on July 16, saying the records represented the portion of the probe that could be legally released. Both the report and a separate county investigation have been sent to state professional-compliance reviewers, who will decide whether Giddens’ law enforcement certification should face further action.
Report details and allegations
A Lake County Sheriff’s Office investigation, requested by town officials, found that Giddens began contacting the woman in March 2025 while he was investigating her husband for alleged contractor fraud. Investigators said the two later met for consensual sexual encounters at a Lady Lake hotel on two occasions and that one of those encounters happened before the end of Giddens’ shift, according to ClickOrlando. The records show the FDLE opened a related investigation in November 2025 and documented continued contact between the pair through messaging apps. The woman told investigators she did not feel harassed or stalked and described the encounters as consensual.
Town timeline and statement
According to WFTV, town leaders placed Giddens on administrative leave on May 4, then suspended him on May 22, before accepting his resignation effective June 3, while the investigations were still underway. Town Manager Sean O’Keefe said officials deliberately requested an independent investigation and emphasized that public trust hinges on documented facts rather than rumor. When the town released the records, O’Keefe said he agreed with the investigation’s conclusions. Investigators ultimately sustained allegations that Giddens violated department policies on improper conduct, moral character, and engaging in sexual activity while on duty.
What comes next for certification
Because Giddens resigned, town officials say they can no longer impose workplace discipline. Instead, the completed internal findings are being sent to FDLE professional-compliance staff and could trigger a review by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission, according to ClickOrlando. That process can include deciding whether to suspend or revoke an officer’s certification. In the meantime, John Batchelor is serving as interim chief while the town searches for a permanent replacement.
Background and local context
Before taking the top job in Howey-in-the-Hills, Giddens worked for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and for the FDLE, and his hiring was seen as adding leadership experience to the town’s very small police department, according to FOX 35 Orlando. Town officials say they released the legally available records from the case so residents could see exactly what investigators concluded while the state handles any questions about Giddens’ certification.
