Lake Wales residents urge thorough probe of BizLink/Florida Development Corporation, allege missing investor funds

Residents at the public-comment period urged the City Commission of Lake Wales to open a substantive, public investigation into BizLink and the Florida Development Corporation (FDC), citing a series of alleged problems surfaced in a LakeWalesNews.net inquiry and subsequent court action.

"Over the past two years, every commissioner has had a front-row seat to the unfolding BizLink...story," Howard Davies said, arguing the news investigation documented "unlicensed operations, plagiarisms, unpaid taxes" and other concerns that require oversight. Davies said past citizen warnings were met with silence and public disdain, and he urged the commission to ensure any review is "thorough and substantive, not a perfunctory exercise to check a box."

Charlene Bennett, who also addressed the commission on the same topic, said residents repeatedly flagged problems with FDC—including poor documentation of clients, limited local benefit and, she said, that three private investors sued over about $260,000 in missing investment—adding that some critics were publicly disparaged. "Why didn't the city research them?" Bennett asked, and later: "Were you protecting the mayor?"

Speakers referenced prior commission discussion and a pledge by city staff to look into the matter; residents asked that any investigation welcome public input before its conclusion. The comments did not result in a formal vote or directive during the meeting; no investigative scope, timeline or task force was announced on the record.

The commission will decide separately whether to open an investigation or form a review body; residents urged that the next step be transparent and substantive.