Ethics Commission approves joint stipulations, fines two local officials and issues public censure

The Florida Commission on Ethics voted to approve two joint stipulations imposing civil penalties and public censure for public officials found previously to have committed ethics violations.

The commission approved a joint stipulation in complaint no. 24-268 involving Annette Redmond, who serves as a member of the Lake Butler City Commission. The stipulation recommends a $4,000 civil penalty and public censure and reprimand; the commission adopted the stipulation by voice vote.

Commission staff presented a second joint stipulation covering complaints nos. 24277 and 24280 involving Tamara Goler, a city councilwoman for Marco Island. The stipulation states the commission found probable cause that Goler violated the cited provisions and that she “agrees to the entry of a final order recommending a civil penalty of $2,500 for each allegation for a total of $5,000” together with a public censure and reprimand. The commission voted to adopt that stipulation as presented.

During consideration, counsel for the commission summarized the findings and asked the commission to approve the settlements. No respondents were present at the hearing for these matters. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved each stipulation by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the hearing record.

The commission record notes that, if a stipulation were rejected, the complaint would proceed to the Division of Administrative Hearings for an evidentiary hearing and that parties could later negotiate a different settlement for consideration at another meeting.