Ethics commission finds probable cause in case involving county commissioner

Erin Hill Gadsden County News Service

The Florida Commission on Ethics has found probable cause that Gadsden County Commissioner Ronterious Green violated state ethics laws by participating in county decisions involving a business relationship with his landlord. The commission announced its finding in a press release issued Wednesday, following a closed session held Friday by the nine-member board. According to the commission, Green is accused of having “a conflicting contractual relationship that created a continuing or frequently recurring conflict between his private interests and the performance of his public duties, when he approved multiple contracts for his landlord.” The finding of probable cause is not a final determination of wrongdoing. An evidentiary hearing will be held before an administrative law judge to decide whether a violation occurred. The commission has not announced when that hearing will take place. The ethics complaint was filed in February by former Gadsden County and City of Quincy Commissioner Sherrie Taylor. According to the complaint, Green’s business—The Greenery Floral & Tuxedo Place—received $250 from the county in March 2022 for flower arrangements. Green responded that the payments did not exceed the $500 threshold outlined in Florida law and said he abstained from any votes or discussions involving his business. Taylor also alleged that Green questioned her nonprofit’s use of county funds while failing to apply the same scrutiny to other organizations. She noted that Green’s floral shop is located in a building owned by Richard Lockwood, a contractor who has done work for the county. Lockwood has reportedly held county contracts since 2010. Green, who represents District 5 on the Gadsden County Board of Commissioners, maintains that he was not involved in the selection of contractors. It’s important to note that housing construction contracts go through the county housing department’s bid process, which does not involve the commissioners. It then goes before the board on the consent agenda. “Once it gets to the agenda, it’s on the consent agenda as an item that commissioners vote for as a whole,” Green said. He said the vote to approve the consent agenda is typically unanimous, and they pull the contracts for discussion. Green said, “The contractor involved has been receiving contracts since 2010, 10 years before I was elected to the county commission. All contractors are selected by county staff without involvement of commission. All votes were placed on the consent agenda and approved in 5-0 votes.” He added, “I will respectfully allow the ethics committee to do their investigation.” In a separate statement posted to social media, Green described the investigation as a “relentless witch hunt” and said, “While I am limited in what I can share right now, I want to be absolutely clear: nothing malicious has occurred. I welcome the opportunity for the truth to come forward… I will always put the people first.” Green has the right to a full evidentiary hearing and could also seek a settlement with the commission advocate, who represents the attorney general’s office.

Ethics commission finds probable cause in case involving county commissioner

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Ethics commission finds probable cause in case involving county commissioner

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37th Art in Gadsden draws crowd of more than 300

Phirst Phamily back-to-school giveaway brings joy and resources to hundreds in Chattahoochee￼

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37^th Art in Gadsden draws crowd of more than 300

Phirst Phamily back-to-school giveaway brings joy and resources to hundreds in Chattahoochee