MCSO Investigating Details of Former County Official's "Whistleblower" Complaint

BRADENTON — Allegations that two Manatee County Commissioners may have violated Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law have led to the opening of an investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Manatee County's former acting administrator, Lee Washington, detailed the circumstances of the alleged violations in a “whistleblower” complaint submitted to the county attorney prior to Washington's separation from the organization.

The whistleblower complaint, dated June 15, alleged that sunshine, ethics, and malfeasance violations occurred when current Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn and now-former commissioner Vanessa Baugh, arranged a lunch meeting with Washington to discuss the hiring of a deputy county administrator.

Although the hiring of administrative employees is the purview of the county administrator, such positions are confirmed by a vote of commissioners. In addition, details contained in Washington's written account of the meeting included that the two commissioners advised the former acting administrator that hiring BIA President Jon Mast would "help the county move forward with land development code, the comprehensive plan, and other duties that the county is trying to get accomplished." 

The record of Washington’s whistleblower document, first obtained by the Florida Center for Government Accountability, described the meeting and events that proceeded it.

“On March 1, I was subject to violations of Florida’s Sunshine laws, ethics, gross mismanagement and malfeasance related to county meetings held to conduct business, while not being publicly noticed or minutes captured,” Washington wrote.

“I was invited to attend a lunch with Commissioner Mike Rahn and Vanessa Baugh at O’Bricks Irish Pub. Also invited to this lunch was Jon Mast, CEO of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association. At this meeting, both commissioners advocated for the hiring of Mr. Mast for the vacant Deputy County Administrator position,” Washington’s complaint detailed in part. 

Click here to read the document in full. 

Although Washington submitted his complaint to Manatee County Attorney William Clague, a copy of a drafted response by Clague opined that because the county’s whistleblower ordinance is limited to alleged violations of law or acts of gross mismanagement “committed by an employee or agent of the agency or independent contractor,” alleged actions by county commissioners were not subject to the ordinance and the county attorney’s office was without authority to investigate Washington’s complaints.

Washington ultimately parted ways with the county in early August and Charlie Bishop was appointed acting administrator in his place. In light of his resignation, Washington withdrew his whistleblower complaint but in a statement to the county attorney’s office Washington clarified that he stood by the events as detailed in the complaint. Washington also acknowledged that others may disagree with his account of events. 

Following the details of Washington’s complaint being made public, a citizen lodged a formal complaint with the MCSO on the basis that Washington’s account included alleged criminal violations under Florida’s Sunshine Law.

TBT confirmed on Friday that the MCSO’s investigation into the allegations remains open and ongoing. Due to the investigative state, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department was unable to provide further comment or details. 

The confirmation of the investigation comes while a separate MCSO investigation into actions by a former Manatee County administration official remains ongoing.

Following the departure of Scott Hopes—the county’s former administrator and Washington’s immediate predecessor—information obtained through a public record request revealed that Hopes had “wiped” his county-issued iPad and cell phone potentially deleting public records. Information of the alleged incident surfaced after a public records request by Michael Barfield, the Director of Public Access for the Florida Center for Government Accountability, revealed county staff had documented Hopes' actions.

Hopes' unexpected separation from the organization in February was framed as a "voluntary resignation" by the county. A separation agreement provided Hopes 120 days of severance pay in one lump sum and health insurance coverage for one year.  Hopes worked for Manatee County for less than two years. 

An investigation into the allegations against Hopes was launched by the sheriff’s office following a criminal complaint filed with the department. The MCSO investigation has remained active and ongoing since March 1.

In June, AeroVanti Air Club announced Hopes had been made the company’s newest CEO. However, reports from recent weeks have announced that Hopes was removed as CEO of AreoVanti, less than six months after having been appointed as head of the private jet club company.