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Votes at a glance: Commission on Ethics approves minutes, orders, stipulations and annual report
Summary
At the meeting the commission approved meeting minutes, multiple final orders and stipulations, dismissed one complaint per advocate motion, adopted the 2024 annual report, and adopted numerous final orders on automatic-fine appeals; several stipulations including those in consolidated matters and Form 6 disclosure matters were approved.
The Florida Commission on Ethics took several formal actions during the meeting. Items below summarize each recorded motion and its disposition as reflected in the public transcript.
Approved minutes - Motion to approve minutes for Nov. 26 and Dec. 6 meetings (items 3 and 4): motion passed unanimously.
Final action/joint stipulations (selected) - Complaint 22-041 & 22-115 (Enrique Toney): joint stipulation approved (covered in separate article). - Complaint 22-103 (Michael Andrew White): respondent admitted violation of section 112.3137(7) (conflicting contractual relationship) and the joint stipulation recommending a civil penalty of $500 was approved. Staff noted the complainant filed a written response seeking a higher fine; commissioners approved the $500 stipulation. - Complaint 24-156 (In re Bowen Coop): respondent was a candidate for state senate; parties stipulated to a $1,500 civil penalty (three issues at $500 each) and the motion to approve the stipulation passed (staff later clarified no public censure/reprimand in that matter, only the fine). - Complaints 24-172 & 24-225 (Loro Diaz, consolidated): respondent admitted a single Form 6 reporting matter and agreed to a $500 penalty; commission approved the joint stipulation.
Financial disclosure appeals and final orders - Item 8 (F T 22-020 – Hugo Martin Rodriguez): staff recommended waiver of the automatic $1,500 fine for a late Form 1 filing due to lack of evidence of notice; the commission adopted the final order and waived the fine. - Item 8(b) group: Commission adopted final orders for items 8(b)1 through 8(b)8 (automatic-fine appeals where no hearing was requested); motion passed unanimously.
Other formal actions - Motion to adopt the 2024 annual report (Item 9): approved unanimously; report to be provided to the Florida House and Senate and published on the commission website. - Item 6 (Advocate’s motion to dismiss complaint 19-131 in re James Cooley): Advocate Joseph Burns moved to dismiss on the ground respondent did not take action to form a contract with his wife's company; commission approved the advocate’s motion to dismiss.
Procedure and voting - When stipulations were considered, General Counsel explained statutory changes requiring two-thirds of members present to reject a stipulation, while approval still requires a simple majority. Several stipulations were approved by unanimous voice vote as recorded in the transcript.
Ending
Staff will file adopted orders and publish advisory material and the annual report as appropriate. Cases that were remanded by courts or that may resume administrative or judicial proceedings will be returned to the commission or to DOAH as directed by the courts.
