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Memorandum urges FDLE, Ethics probe of complaints involving Jackson County chairman and administrator
Summary
A memorandum from the county attorney's office recommended FDLE and Ethics Commission investigations into staff complaints alleging serious misconduct and civil-rights violations involving Chairman Jamie Westbrook and Administrator Jim Dean and suggested appointing an interim administrator pending the outcome.
A memorandum presented to the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners recommended that state investigators and the Ethics Commission review multiple staff complaints alleging serious misconduct and civil-rights violations involving Chairman Jamie Westbrook and county administrator Jim Dean.
The memorandum, read aloud at the meeting by a county representative, said the Office of the County Attorney advised that the complaints warrant independent review. "The purpose of this memorandum is to advise the board regarding multiple serious complaints lodged by county staff against chairman Jamie Westbrook and administrator Jim Dean," the presenter said.
During discussion board members noted the county attorney had instructed that a particular staff member should not discuss any aspect of the potential case without the attorney present. A board member said the attorney had told Miss Jordan not to "discuss any aspect of the potential case associated with this matter, with this commission without her presence." The presenter also noted the attorney provided that guidance in a letter sent to Miss Jordan.
Miss Jordan, who addressed the board, disputed that she had filed a lawsuit against the county. "I haven't filed a lawsuit against Jackson County," she said.
Commissioners debated whether to proceed at that meeting without their counsel present. Ultimately the board voted to set a different time for Miss Jordan to proceed so the attorney could be available, a motion that passed by voice vote.
The memorandum recommended three actions: request FDLE and Ethics Commission investigations, initiate an independent inquiry into the allegations, and appoint an interim county administrator pending the outcome of those processes. The board did not adopt the memorandum's recommended investigatory steps as a single binding action at that moment; it approved rescheduling Miss Jordan's appearance to accommodate counsel. Further steps, including any formal appointments or a care plan for interim administration, were not decided in the public record at the meeting.
The commission's public proceedings reflect only what was stated on the record: the memorandum's existence and content, attorneys' guidance about counsel presence, a board decision to reschedule Miss Jordan's presentation, and public admonitions to follow legal guidance when discussing pending personnel matters. No formal independent investigator was named during the meeting.
