State attorney says JEA board did not violate Florida’s Sunshine Law

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The state attorney for northeast Florida said there’s no evidence that members of the JEA board violated Florida’s “Sunshine Law” with discussions surrounding the resignation and replacement of former CEO Jay Stowe.

A source said JEA leaders met at an Avondale coffee shop to discuss the CEO stepping down. It sparked an investigation

In May, a JEA employee filed a complaint with the city’s inspector general prompting the investigation.

The Sunshine Law requires that public business be conducted at publicly-noticed meetings.

In October, the inspector general found that some board members did talk business outside of the meetings but the report made no determination on whether the Sunshine Law was violated and referred the matter to the State Attorney’s Office.

The state attorney’s office conducted its own investigation and said the allegations were “unwarranted and unfounded.”

DOCUMENT: State attorney’s report on JEA Sunshine Law investigation

It said the outside conversations did not involve JEA board business or were not covered by the Sunshine Law. The report also said that even if there had been evidence of a Sunshine Law violation, the fact that the decision to appoint Vickie Cavey as interim, and later permanent, managing director and CEO were made during public meetings would have resolved any purported violation.

Cavey responded to the investigation.

“JEA appreciates the thorough investigation by the State Attorney’s Office,” Cavey said. “The JEA Board recognizes the importance of the Sunshine Law and its obligations to comply. The report determined JEA board members complied with the law and that no criminal conduct occurred. The baseless allegations by a former employee cast a shadow over the good work our board and more than 2,200 employees do each and every day delivering foundational services to Northeast Florida. Maintaining the trust of our community is of utmost importance and this report could not have provided a clearer vindication.”

Board Chair Joseph DiSalvo made this statement in response to the report.

“On behalf of the board of directors, we appreciate the diligent work of the State Attorney’s Office. I think it is important to note their findings reinforce the fact that each member on the JEA Board of Directors fully embrace transparency and Sunshine Law compliance and our commitment to remain above reproach when it comes to ethics and integrity,” DiSalvo said.