Hearing for Scott Hopes Delayed Until January

BRADENTON — Scott Hopes's case management hearing has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, 2025.

The former Manatee County Administrator is accused of submitting incorrect timecards in 2021 and 2022, which resulted in the county overpaying him thousands of dollars, illegally notarizing signatures on two documents, and erasing official records from his county-issued phone.

Hopes was hired as interim county administrator in 2021 after outgoing Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge lobbied the board to have him replace Cheri Coryea, whom Van Ostenbridge moved to fire on his first day in office after being elected in 2020. Hopes was made the permanent county administrator later that year despite the board's promise to conduct a national search.

Hopes "resigned" in February 2023 after losing the confidence of the board following several scandals. He has been charged with three third-degree felonies, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Van Ostenbridge went on to lose in a landslide during the August Republican primaries. He sought to challenge George Kruse for a countywide seat after angering many of the voters in his district over issues like the island parking garage, island city consolidation, and the gutting of county wetland protections. His loss is notable for getting the fewest votes per campaign and PAC dollars spent in Manatee County history.