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Tallahassee ethics board dismisses complaint but flags appearance and will review advisory-board jurisdiction
Summary
The board dismissed a sworn complaint without prejudice after staff concluded the allegations did not meet state ethics statute or local ordinance thresholds, but members expressed concern about the appearance of impropriety and asked staff to return next month with jurisdictional analysis and plain-language guidance.
The Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board voted Feb. 17 to dismiss a sworn complaint without prejudice after staff advised the alleged facts did not, as written, violate the state ethics statute or the city's solicitation-and-gifts ordinance.
Staff recounted that the complaint alleged misuse of public position, solicitation or acceptance of gifts, and that an advisory committee member had lobbied a Community Redevelopment Agency advisory committee while recused from voting. In their memo, staff said the complaint lacked factual detail — such as whether the person spoke from the public podium, sat at the board table, or exceeded the three-minute public-comment period — and…
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