Ethics Complaint Filed Against Mayor Smith Dismissed.

THE FOLLOWING IS PRESENTED AS A SUMMARY OF INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THE OFFICAL RECORDS PERTAINING TO THIS MATTER.  LINKS TO THE COMPLETE RECORDS ARE BEING PROVIDED FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN READING FURTHER.

August 21, 2020 an ethics complaint was filed against Mayor Gary Smith by David Israel.

October 23, 2020 the Florida Ethics Commission dismissed the complaint citing a lack of legal sufficiency. 

November 19, 2020 at the Town Council meeting, Vice Mayor Lois Paritsky stated that

“Given the seriousness of such allegations, it is important for the residents of Ponce Inlet to know that their Mayor is not corrupt, did not misuse town resources and did not betray the public trust when he acted as outlined in the complaint.”  

Mayor Smith stated that ….  “A precedent has been set by this decision that an elected official can correct erroneous statements made to the public by candidates.”

Vice Mayor Paritsky requested that all the documents relating to the matter be appended to the minutes of the November 19, 2020 Ponce Inlet Town Council meeting. To read the underlying complaint, the dismissal letter and the exhibits, click here.

This item was discussed at the November and December 2020 Council meetings.  To read those minutes, please visit our Meetings Page.