The Florida Commission on Ethics has entered a public report pertaining to the ethics complaint filed by Faith Ross against Vice Mayor David Sturges, according to attorney Brett Steger.
Mrs. Ross, currently serves as a member on the City of Fernandina Beach Board of Adjustment, and is the wife of Fernandina Beach Commissioner Chip Ross. She alleged last March that Sturges engaged in unethical behavior by voting on matters before the city commission that would result in special benefits to himself or other third parties.
Following an extensive investigation, the Commission on Ethics found that no probable cause existed to substantiate the claims in the complaint.
Last November, a 4-0 commission vote approved a resolution authorizing City Attorney Tammi Bach to work with the city’s claims administrator to appear on behalf of and defend Sturges before the state Commission on Ethics over a second complaint filed on October 18, 2023. Sturges recused himself from that vote.
The Commission on Ethics has not rendered a decision on the second complaint.
When notified of the Commission on Ethics’ Public Report dismissing Mrs. Ross’ complaint, Vice-Mayor Sturges said
“I am grateful to the Commission on Ethics for conducting a thorough investigation into Mrs. Ross’ allegations. From the first time I first learned of Mrs. Ross’ false claims I have wanted to respond publicly so that the truth was known. Despite my personal desire to bring all of the facts surrounding these baseless accusations to light, I have purposefully refrained from discussing this matter so that the Commission on Ethics could make an unbiased, transparent, and completely accurate determination, free from any outside influence.
“I am thankful the truth was revealed in this matter. The city commission has a great deal of work to do in 2024, and I look forward to facing these challenges without the distractions caused by these false claims.”
Sturges is in his final year of a four-year term and has not said whether he will seek re-election in August for another term.
Good article, but some specifics on accusation would be helpful. From what I know, this was a stretch.