Commissioner Brown Chastised for Improper Use of County Equipment, Time and Materials for Personal Use

BRADENTON -- An investigation by Manatee County’s Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court shows that Manatee County Commissioner Gwen Brown had an administrative assistant write campaign letters on County stationary in her attempt to be reelected as District 2 county commissioner. (The investigator's report is reproduced below the main body of this article.)

”An elected official cannot use government resources to enhance their campaign,“ said Bob Sweat, Manatee County County’s Elections Supervisor. ”The law is very clear, if the purpose is to enhance your election, you cannot do it.“

Kerrie Stillman of the Florida Commission on Ethics said an elected official abusing their office is a violation of Florida Law. According to Stillman, an incumbent candidate is prohibited from exploiting governmental resources to further their political office.

Stillman specifically cited Florida Statute 112.313 (6), which forbids such practices.  

Commissioner Brown also teaches at the State College of Florida, and has had county personnel type quizzes and other course materials on county time. A 115-page report (pdf download) submitted by Millie Blevins, Director of Internal Audit for The Clerk’s Office, documents  these allegations. It also shows that Brown routinely used her county office telephone and her county-paid administrative assistant's telephone for SCF business.

Asked for her reaction to the censure, Commissioner Brown said, ”I should not have allowed this to happen. I would like people to look at my record and what I am trying to do for the people of Manatee County.“

Brown also said she reimbursed the county $1,800 for typing and copying by county employees.

An anonymous call to the Clerk’s Office originally triggered the investigation and Blevins’ report.

Documentation attached to the above reports (pdf download; over 100 pages)