Property appraiser sued over strippers, travel expenses

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh is the subject of a lawsuit that has accused him of creating a hostile workplace and misusing public funds for personal travel.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Orlando by the office's former director of finance and former director of communications.

Aisha Hassan and Laverne McGhee also allege that Singh brought strippers to the office after hours.

In addition, the lawsuit contends that Singh ordered his staff to falsify documents for an audit, while lying about his travel expenses to justify having taxpayers pay for them.

A spokeswoman for Singh declined to comment on pending legislation, however an investigation last year failed to substantiate any of the allegations.

“I’m a target. But I’m not going to be a punching bag,” Singh said to the Orlando Sentinel.