The purchase of an iPhone leads to Quincy commissioner being accused of misusing government funds

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a claim made against one of Quincy’s commissioners.

Early in December, former-City Manager Jack McLean provided a statement to the department, claiming Commissioner Keith Dowdell misused government funds.

McLean’s statement says the following (The Gadsden County Times does not attest that any event recorded below is factual or happened as recorded. These are merely the statements made) :

In December 2020 or January 2021 Dowdell asked McLean to purchase an iPhone from Verizon using the city’s account.

McLean agreed with the purchase.

David Rittman, the city’s former information technology director, purchased a $727.94 iPhone for Dowdell under his account for the city.

Dowdell called McLean and spoke to Rittman about the phone setup.

He wanted to transfer his old number to the new account, instead of using the number assigned to the phone.

McLean reminded Dowdell he needed to pay for the phone.

Dowdell said he forgot, so McLean asked his assistant, Vancheria Starling, to remind Dowdell.

On February 7, McLean sent Starling an email that said, “Determine the cost of Keith’s iPhone; send notice to pay the city. He asked for the information. Thanks.”

McLean directed Starling to follow up with Dowdell until the city received payment.

On March 8, Starling emailed Dowdell a copy of the bill for the phone.

Dowdell responded, “This is not my number.”

McLean became ill in February and went on medical leave on March 8.

He returned to work in April or May of 2021.

After McLean returned to work, Starling reported that she spoke to Dowdell, and he denied having gotten the phone through the city.

Starling contacted Rittman, and Rittman confirmed that Dowdell had the phone.

“I became concerned with Keith’s conduct based on what occurred when he went to the August 16, 2019 League of Cities convention,” McLean states.

During the convention, the city gave Dowdell and Harris a check to cover their parking and other expenses.

McLean states Dowdell instead used the city’s purchasing card to cover parking and other expenses.

“When this was brought to my attention by Van, I spoke to the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem and asked them to reimburse the city. Initially the mayor only wanted to reimburse only the parking charge and not reimburse the city for the payment for travel,” McLean says in the report.

McLean said Harris rode to Orlando with Dowdell, but both claimed mileage.

Dowdell allegedly used the city’s purchasing card to rent a vehicle from Enterprise to attend the League of Cities Conference in Orlando.

He rented the car on August 11 and checked into the conference hotel the same day.

He checked out of the hotel the following day.

Orlando is approximately 278, with a round-trip being about 556 miles.

Dowdell returned the car to Enterprise on August 14 with a mileage usage of 730 miles.

The city was charged for the extra day’s rental and gas.

McLean submitted the city’s purchasing card policy, as well as rental and hotel records of the trip.

He also submitted text messages between himself and Starling which show discussions of his attempts to get McLean to get Dowdell to pay for the iPhone dating back to February

“The iPhone non-payment and 20[19] rental car non-payment shows a similar pattern of conduct,” Mclean states.

When asked why he just now filed the statement, McLean said he just recently learned that Dowdell hadn’t paid for the phone.

“He told me he was going to pay,” said McLean. “Then I found out he didn’t intend to pay.”

In November, McLean also filed an incident report accusing Harris of violating the city’s charter by interfering with day-to-day business, after Harris told Public Works Director Reggie Bell he needed dirt in his yard.

Dowdell could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

The Gadsden County Times will continue to report on this story as updates become available.

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

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The purchase of an iPhone leads to Quincy commissioner being accused of misusing government funds

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McLean’s lawsuit claims commissioners violated Sunshine Law

Senator Marco Rubio’s staff make a visit in Quincy

Senator Marco Rubio’s staff make a visit in Quincy

Recommended

Tobacco Free Florida in Gadsden County Calls for updates to tobacco free school policies

Old Fashioned Americana: Havana Quilt Show and Sale promotes the love of classic quilts

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