The Commission on Ethics unanimously approved a joint stipulation in complaint No. 22-082, In re Veinis Gilmore, finding that the respondent violated Florida’s financial-disclosure and standards-of-conduct statutes.

Staff presenter Miss Hadley told commissioners the stipulation admits a violation of the statute (recorded in the meeting as section 112.313(7)-style language) arising from a conflicting contractual relationship connected to the respondent’s employment with the City of Fort Pierce. "In the stipulation, respondent admits that he violated section 112.313(7) and agrees to the entry of a final order recommending a civil penalty of $1,000 with public censure and reprimand," Hadley said.

Hadley and staff noted the city had already demoted the respondent from assistant director of planning to senior planner and reduced his salary — penalties that the city had imposed and that are also listed in the statutory penalty options. Under the stipulation, the commission recommended the $1,000 civil penalty and public censure in addition to the employer-imposed demotion and salary reduction.

Commissioners had no additional questions on the record. When the commission called for a motion to approve the joint stipulation, the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the stipulation resolves an alleged ethics violation through a negotiated final order that imposes a civil penalty and public admonishment in addition to agency personnel actions. The action demonstrates the commission’s process for resolving complaint matters by joint stipulation where a respondent admits violation and agrees to stipulated penalties.

Administrative note: staff cited the statutory penalty list in the administrative code and asked the commission to approve the joint stipulation presented in the meeting materials; commissioners voted to accept the stipulation as presented.

The commission directed staff to enter the final order consistent with the stipulation and to publish the final order as required by rule.