The FBI’s investigation of at least one Walton County transaction has widened to include city employees.
Federal agents issued subpoenas late last month requesting that Freeport Mayor Mickey Marse provide them with the employment file of City Planner Latilda Henninger.
The FBI also ordered Marse to provide any communication between Henninger and himself, members of the City Council and any city official concerning work performed by Henninger “outside the scope of her employment as city planner.”
The Daily News obtained the documents from a Freedom of Information request to Freeport.
The subpoenas specifically sought communication pertaining to Henninger’s “application, approval and/or denial of any request to contract and/or perform professional services.”
Along with her city job, Henninger runs a company called Henninger Development Concepts with her husband.
The Freeport-based company has been registered as a business in Florida since 2005, according to the Florida Division of Corporations. The company was founded the same year Henninger was hired by the city.
Internet listings for Henninger Development Concepts say little other than that it offers “professional, scientific, and technical services.”
Henninger was out of town Wednesday on city business. Efforts to reach her or anyone at the family business were unsuccessful.
Henninger’s name also appeared in an FBI subpoena for Walton County records that was issued in June.
That subpoena sought communication between Walton County commissioners, Jay Odom — who developed the Hammock Bay subdivision in Freeport — and Henninger, among others.
It also sought documents from Freeport 860 and Crystal Beach Development, both Odom business interests, and Henninger Development Concepts.
The Walton County subpoena also sought records “pertaining to any cost-sharing, financing or interlocal agreement between Walton County and the city of Freeport" linked to the development of the 60-acre Freeport Regional Sports Complex.
Odom began developing the Hammock Bay subdivision in 2006. In 2007, he announced he would donate 60 acres (worth an estimated $12 million) to Freeport so the city could partner with Walton County to build the sports complex.
The complex opened in 2008. It offers fields for softball, T-ball, baseball and soccer. It also has basketball and tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, a playground, gardens and nature trails.
The agreement in question called for Walton County, which had already put $5 million toward the sports complex, to clear and construct three baseball fields in Freeport.
Freeport, in return, offered to provide engineering plans, obtain permitting and provide a legal description of the property where the baseball fields would be built.
Also as part of its most recent inquiry, the FBI subpoenaed Freeport City Clerk Robin Haynes.
It ordered her to provide a grand jury with the minutes of City Council meetings since Jan. 1, 2005, and copies of all planning board meetings for the same time period.
Federal agents requested any communication in which Haynes or any city official “issued a valuation or opinion pertaining to the potential usage of any real property located within the city of Freeport.”
It also sought all communications in which Haynes or other city officials discussed the value or use of property within the city “with any private citizen, private corporation or government official.”
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/freeport-52290-include-probe.html#ixzz26L7oFSU2
TheZohanTheZohanBeach LoverDefuniak Springs85 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
TheZohanBeach LoverDefuniak Springs85 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover4,577 views
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soappedalersoappedalerBeach Fanatic427 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
soappedalerBeach Fanatic427 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticIt was all a Scribner's error.
j p nettlesj p nettlesBannedEbro380 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
j p nettlesBannedEbro380 postsJoined View profileMessageBannedSurely Walton County's wonderful elected officials haven't done anything wrong. I'm sure Mr. Odom contibuted lots of money to Walton County politicians out of his "deep concern" for the citizens of the county. I don't see where he or any of his companies have given any money to our "public servants" this year, but 04 and 08 a lot of money was passed out. In 08 good old Carlene got $6000 along with thousands from the other big contributor.
j p nettlesj p nettlesBannedEbro380 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
j p nettlesBannedEbro380 postsJoined View profileMessageBannedIsn't it funny that people mentioned in all the investigations of wrongdoing in Walton and Okaloosa seem to include a big contributor to Republican politicians. I'm amazed at people who shrug off the money connections between politicians and their benefactors. The mess involving the county commissioner from Niceville underscores this concern. The great (in his own mind) Sen. Gaetz said his daddy told him to 'follow the money'. If you follow the money for Walton County's elected officials it leads to the same people. When old rich people living in places like Kelley Plantation give thousands to virtually all of Walton county's elected officials I have to ask why and what do they want.
Andy AAndy ABeach FanaticBlue Mountain Beach4,389 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Andy ABeach FanaticBlue Mountain Beach4,389 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI don't think it is any secret they want consideration when they ask for it and expect to be replied to when they ask a question. That said, I have never quiered a County Commissioner that I didn't receive an answer. I see a lot of angst posted here that I would bet 10 to 1 was never brought to ANY County Commissioner's attention. Do I always get what I request? No. Do I get a response? Yes. I, for one, am getting tired of people knocking those very people they elected to serve us. If you don't like an elected official and think they are crooked, post some facts or shut the hell up!
j p nettlesj p nettlesBannedEbro380 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
j p nettlesBannedEbro380 postsJoined View profileMessageBannedI write to my representatives all the time. And of course I e-mail them. I live in District one. Scott Brannon has never responded to any inquiries. Mildred Wilkerson has never responded. Rep. Brad Drake has responded every time I have contacted him or his office. Sen. Gaetz has never responded. My view is that the law limiting individual campaign contributions was passed with some purpose in mind. However, if millionaire developers and billionaire landowners own or are in control of dozens of entities and each give $500 to our elected officials, that reeks of impropriety. Obviously I'm not planning to be facebook pals with these people and I don't want have wine and cheese at Seaside with them. I usually vote for the people who don't get money from the big dawgs.
Bob WellsBob WellsBeach Fanatic3,380 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Bob WellsBeach Fanatic3,380 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI have sat in Representative Drakes office and asked him point blank his position on an issue and he said he was staying out of the issue, not sure if I would consider that and answer.
j p nettlesj p nettlesBannedEbro380 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
j p nettlesBannedEbro380 postsJoined View profileMessageBannedI have sat in Representative Drakes office and asked him point blank his position on an issue and he said he was staying out of the issue, not sure if I would consider that and answer.
My point was only that Rep. Drake responded. He didn't answer my questions but he did respond. The others didn't even send a canned response. Even the governors office does that. I suspect that if you are going to slobber all over them with praise they might reply.
meggiemommeggiemomBeach LoverWalton222 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
Did I read it right? I saw a report that a DeFuniak Springs policeman was fired by the city for giving public information to the FBI. Isn't that what law enforcement is supposed to do?
Who tells you this?
Alicia LeonardAlicia LeonardSoWal InsiderIn the little town with FUN in the middle5,058 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
Alicia LeonardSoWal InsiderIn the little town with FUN in the middle5,058 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderIt's public record-http://defuniakherald.com/?p=5639
[h=2]DFS CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO FIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT LIEUTENANT AND STREETS DEPARTMENT WORKER[/h]Sep 13th, 2012 |
By REID TUCKER
The DeFuniak Springs City Council members voted unanimously to fire two city employees, both of whom were recommended for termination by their supervisors on grounds of insubordinate behavior.
The two terminations occupied the majority of the meeting on Monday, Sept. 10, due to several lengthy comments by members of the public in one instance and by the former employee himself in another.
First up was a recommendation from City Marshal Mark Weeks to terminate the employment of Lt. David Krika, who, according to the letter of intent provided by Weeks to the City Council, had on Friday, July 27, admitted to “[turning] over a DFSPD file to an outside agency without proper authorization.” An internal affairs investigation into Krika’s conduct, which is in violation of department policy, on was opened on Monday, July 30, by Capt. Michael Lolley at Weeks’ direction. The results of the investigation sustained that a policy violation had occurred and, according to the letter of intent, it was Lolley’s recommendation to Weeks that Krika be demoted or fired, with the marshal opting to pursue the latter.
The letter goes on to show that Krika also failed to comply with a subpoena issued by the Public Defender’s Office for a criminal case the same day as the completion of the internal affairs investigation, Wednesday, Aug. 29. Weeks’ wrote in the letter that Lolley said he had “personally given the subpoena to [Krika].”
The details of the information Krika allegedly supplied to the outside agency was not officially confirmed at the Council meeting, but four different people, three of them residents of DeFuniak Springs, spoke during the time allotted for public comments, offering their own explanations to the councilmen.
One speaker, Michelle Kitsch, said she had obtained a copy of the 64-page internal affairs investigation report through a public records request with the DFSPD. Part of the report contained the personal information of one-time city manager candidate Mike Standley, including his driver’s license number and social security number. Kitsch contended that this information, though falling under the aegis of public information, had been supplied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
DeFuniak Springs resident David King went a step further, saying that the trouble as he saw it with Krika’s termination was that “part of this is public and part of this is hidden.” King said politics had become involved to the extent that the proceedings had become “shrouded,” which he said was a result of “retaliation” against Krika for a stance at odds with the city attorney during the last round of background checks prior to the selection of a new city manager last fall.
City Councilmen Ron Kelley, by way of addressing the concerns of those who spoke, said he had not heard anything about information being provided to the FBI, but rather that the decision reached by him and the other Council members was based on Krika’s violation of two police department policies. Councilman Mac Work went on to say that the vote for termination was not because of anyone on the board being “out to get” Krika.
The Council members also cast straight votes to follow Public Works Director Bill Holloway’s recommendation to fire Streets Department employee Kelby Russell on grounds of refusing to carry out his duties as a supervisor of state inmate laborers on Aug. 30. Holloway wrote in the letter recommending Russell’s termination that he was given several opportunities to change his mind about working with inmate labor crews, but Russell nevertheless declined to do the job and was suspended without pay.
Russell sustained non work-related injuries earlier in the year and was moved from his regular duties to supervising inmates until he had sufficiently recovered, Holloway said. At the time of Russell’s refusing to work with inmates, Holloway said there was no other work within the Streets Department Russell could perform due to his back injuries.
After the motion for termination was made and seconded, Russell addressed the Council in defense of his continued employment. Russell said municipal workers supervising inmate laborers, even non-violent offenders like he worked with, are put in danger by the assignment.
Additionally, Russell said he and other inmate supervisors are required to scan job sites for contraband materials or “suspicious items” before beginning work in a given area, which he said is done as an attempt to stave off the flow of contraband like artificial marijuana into Walton Correctional Institution. Russell, a city employee since 2010, said he refused to supervise the five-man inmate crew because he feared being held legally responsible should one of the inmates smuggle prohibited items into the prison. Russell and other members of the Streets Department are certified by Walton Correction Institution work with inmate laborers.
Russell told the Council he came to the meeting to “fight for his job.”
“I simply want to work,” he said. “I can shovel all day. I can give you the best town you’ve ever seen….”
Read the full story in the Sept. 13, 2012 edition of the Herald Breeze.
[h=2]DFS CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO FIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT LIEUTENANT AND STREETS DEPARTMENT WORKER[/h]Sep 13th, 2012 |
By REID TUCKER
The DeFuniak Springs City Council members voted unanimously to fire two city employees, both of whom were recommended for termination by their supervisors on grounds of insubordinate behavior.
The two terminations occupied the majority of the meeting on Monday, Sept. 10, due to several lengthy comments by members of the public in one instance and by the former employee himself in another.
First up was a recommendation from City Marshal Mark Weeks to terminate the employment of Lt. David Krika, who, according to the letter of intent provided by Weeks to the City Council, had on Friday, July 27, admitted to “[turning] over a DFSPD file to an outside agency without proper authorization.” An internal affairs investigation into Krika’s conduct, which is in violation of department policy, on was opened on Monday, July 30, by Capt. Michael Lolley at Weeks’ direction. The results of the investigation sustained that a policy violation had occurred and, according to the letter of intent, it was Lolley’s recommendation to Weeks that Krika be demoted or fired, with the marshal opting to pursue the latter.
The letter goes on to show that Krika also failed to comply with a subpoena issued by the Public Defender’s Office for a criminal case the same day as the completion of the internal affairs investigation, Wednesday, Aug. 29. Weeks’ wrote in the letter that Lolley said he had “personally given the subpoena to [Krika].”
The details of the information Krika allegedly supplied to the outside agency was not officially confirmed at the Council meeting, but four different people, three of them residents of DeFuniak Springs, spoke during the time allotted for public comments, offering their own explanations to the councilmen.
One speaker, Michelle Kitsch, said she had obtained a copy of the 64-page internal affairs investigation report through a public records request with the DFSPD. Part of the report contained the personal information of one-time city manager candidate Mike Standley, including his driver’s license number and social security number. Kitsch contended that this information, though falling under the aegis of public information, had been supplied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
DeFuniak Springs resident David King went a step further, saying that the trouble as he saw it with Krika’s termination was that “part of this is public and part of this is hidden.” King said politics had become involved to the extent that the proceedings had become “shrouded,” which he said was a result of “retaliation” against Krika for a stance at odds with the city attorney during the last round of background checks prior to the selection of a new city manager last fall.
City Councilmen Ron Kelley, by way of addressing the concerns of those who spoke, said he had not heard anything about information being provided to the FBI, but rather that the decision reached by him and the other Council members was based on Krika’s violation of two police department policies. Councilman Mac Work went on to say that the vote for termination was not because of anyone on the board being “out to get” Krika.
The Council members also cast straight votes to follow Public Works Director Bill Holloway’s recommendation to fire Streets Department employee Kelby Russell on grounds of refusing to carry out his duties as a supervisor of state inmate laborers on Aug. 30. Holloway wrote in the letter recommending Russell’s termination that he was given several opportunities to change his mind about working with inmate labor crews, but Russell nevertheless declined to do the job and was suspended without pay.
Russell sustained non work-related injuries earlier in the year and was moved from his regular duties to supervising inmates until he had sufficiently recovered, Holloway said. At the time of Russell’s refusing to work with inmates, Holloway said there was no other work within the Streets Department Russell could perform due to his back injuries.
After the motion for termination was made and seconded, Russell addressed the Council in defense of his continued employment. Russell said municipal workers supervising inmate laborers, even non-violent offenders like he worked with, are put in danger by the assignment.
Additionally, Russell said he and other inmate supervisors are required to scan job sites for contraband materials or “suspicious items” before beginning work in a given area, which he said is done as an attempt to stave off the flow of contraband like artificial marijuana into Walton Correctional Institution. Russell, a city employee since 2010, said he refused to supervise the five-man inmate crew because he feared being held legally responsible should one of the inmates smuggle prohibited items into the prison. Russell and other members of the Streets Department are certified by Walton Correction Institution work with inmate laborers.
Russell told the Council he came to the meeting to “fight for his job.”
“I simply want to work,” he said. “I can shovel all day. I can give you the best town you’ve ever seen….”
Read the full story in the Sept. 13, 2012 edition of the Herald Breeze.
Edited
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