Ethics complaint against Quincy officials dismissed

The State of Florida Commission on Ethics recently dismissed complaints filed against several Quincy officials and Gadsden Supervisor of Elections Shirley Knight.

The ethics commission determined nothing in the complaints proved any of the accused used or abused their power to achieve a benefit for themselves.

The commission reviewed complaints against Knight, Quincy Mayor Ronte Harris, Quincy Commissioner Keith Dowdell, and Quincy City Clerk Janice Shackelford-Clemons and dismissed

them for lack of legal sufficiency.

The ethics complaints were filed by Yvette Bittle, who is the chairperson of the recall committee working to remove Harris, Dowdell, and Quincy Commissioner Anessa Albritton-Canidate from office.

In her complaints, which were filed on February 3, Bittle alleged that Knight misused her official position by failing to properly verify the signatures of at least 160 petitioners who signed the recall petition against Dowdell.

The complaint contends that Knight did not comply with Florida statutes during her evaluation of the electors information.

“Moreover, Ms. Knight may have purposely failed to render a legal verification process because of an apparent undisclosed conflict of interest due to a family connection to Commissioner Dowdell,” the complaint says.

In her complaint, Bittle says Knight’s sister was once married to Dowdell, and Dowdell shares a son with Knight’s sister.

The commission determined that it was a matter for the Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections.

Bittle also accused Dowdell and Harris of discussing giving themselves $20,000 annual raises during private meetings, violating the Sunshine Law.

Subsequently, Bittle also accused Harris, Dowdell, and Shackelford of purposely interfering in the recall election process by devising a “false flag” scheme to thwart Bittle’s election recall petitions that were filed with the Supervisor of Elections Office.

The ethics commission found that despite Bittle’s citation to the Sunshine Law and Elections Code governing the elections law, the complaint substantively fails to indicate a possible violation of Section 112.313(6) of the Florida Statutes.

In order to indicate a possible violation of the statute, a complaint must show proof that the accused official corruptly used or attempted to use his or her public position, or corruptly used or attempted to use his or her official duties to specially benefit himself or herself or another.

The ethics commission determined that Section 112.313(5) of the Florida Statutes allows a public officer to vote on matters affecting his or her salary.

As for the “false flag” scheme accusation, the ethics commission decided conclusions or unwarranted deductions of fact or leaps of logic are not a sufficiently specific basis for an investigation.

“Further, the complaint lacks substantive, factual allegations that the respondent’s conduct was corrupt or inconsistent with the proper performance of his public duties as a city commissioner,” the document states.

The ethics commission also said the allegations are outside its jurisdiction and a violation of the election’s laws are enforced by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections and the courts.

Likewise, allegations regarding violations of the Sunshine Law are out of the ethics commission’s jurisdiction, as the violations are administered by the attorney general, law enforcement and the courts.

Harris claimed that the ethics complaints were just another tactic of former City Manager Jack McLean to smear the city government.

“He’s a disgruntled employee and none of these tactics are working,” Harris added.

Dowdell said all of the allegations are made up by McLean.

“Jack [McLean] can’t accept the fact he’s not the city manager no more,” Dowdell said.

Shackelford-Clemons’ attorney Mark Levine spoke on her behalf. He said his client was perplexed and upset when the claims were made against her.

“When I had an initial conversation with the Commission on Ethics I told them this has no substance, and they [Commission on Ethics] didn’t even have jurisdiction,” Levine said. “Mr. McLean is doing a lot of stuff that doesn’t make sense to me as an attorney, and Mr. McLean is also an attorney.”

Knight has declined to comment on any allegations, due to ongoing litigation.

McLean also filed a lawsuit in the Second Judicial Court against Knight, Harris, Dowdell, and Shackelford individually, along with the City of Quincy, listing the same allegations.

Judge David Frank recently released the clerk as an individual from the lawsuit.

McLean said he was not disappointed with the ethics commission’s decision; however, he did say the commission put the burden of proof on the citizen instead of investigating the allegations.

He said complaints will also be filed with the Division of Elections, which he said could result in felony chargers.

Bittle said she was upset with the decision, but she will collect more evidence and submit it to the ethics commission.

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

Ethics complaint against Quincy officials dismissed

Citizens request to have their names removed from recall petition

The Miracle of Maleah – Maleah Braxton overcame trial after trial, surviving, and coming home to Gadsden County

The Miracle of Maleah - Maleah Braxton overcame trial after trial, surviving, and coming home to Gadsden County

Recommended

Havana Main Street honored for Slappey Building restoration

THE DIRT ROAD WONDER

Popular News

$2 million in renovations and improvements coming to Havana Public Library this year

$10 million public safety still awaits groundbreaking

Court documents detail allegations in former Quincy city manager case

2 killed in head-on crash on State Road 267 in Gadsden County

PeaceVoice

Newsletter

Category

Site Links

About Us

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

Ethics complaint against Quincy officials dismissed

Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Gadsden County Times.

Subscribe

Citizens request to have their names removed from recall petition

The Miracle of Maleah – Maleah Braxton overcame trial after trial, surviving, and coming home to Gadsden County

Recommended

Popular News

Newsletter

Category

Site Links

About Us

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?