“He was caught on tape putting money from his pocket into the register”, his daughter, Patricia Samsonov Gillis, wrote on Facebook.
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The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority would not comment on the pink slip – because the company doesn’t speak on “personal matters”, reports Florida’s NBC 2. “Now I’m giving those children suckers for their children”.
Samsonov had been working at the Boca Grande Causeway for 29 years and it was not the first time he had used his own money if a driver didn’t have enough cash or if there had been a mistake.
As punishment, Samsonov said the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority cut back his hours to two days a week, instead of five, which he declined.
“Sam would always give (my son) lollipops and give the dogs bones and stuff like that”. “This doesn’t sit will with me, what happened”.
“If I can’t be trusted for five days, how can I be trusted for two days?” he said to WPTV.
It’s not everyday that people like a toll collector so much they have their own photos of him to share, but that has been the case with Samsonov. One driver likened him to “extended family”.
“He will be missed”, said business owner Blanche Vedette. Many people saw different sides of you, but those of us that saw you all of the time for many years know what a good heart you have. “It just doesn’t seem right to me at all”, said Jason Rice, a frequent customer.
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A Facebook page supporting Sam was created and is calling for his job to be given back. His friends and family say they are exploring possible legal action to see if any Florida laws were violated.
