DeSantis-Appointed CFTOD Administrator Fires Back At Ethics Committee
Glen Gilzean has fired back at a Florida ethics commission after the commission’s general counsel and ethics director wrote that Gilzean had to resign from either the commission or the Ron DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
In an opinion released on Tuesday, Steven Zuikowski, the ethics commission’s general counsel wrote that state law does not allow public employees to serve on the government watchdog panel. Gilzean, Zuikowski concluded, would have to resign from one of the two posts.
“[I]t appears that your position as district administrator for the district is public employment,” Zuilkowski wrote Gilzean.
Gilzean’s Response
In an email Thursday afternoon, Gilzean wrote that the was “weighing” his options on how to proceed. He then lashed out at the ethic commission’s timing in releasing the opinion.
“[I]t is deeply inappropriate that your legal opinion was disseminated to the press at the same time you sent it to me,” Gilzean wrote in the email to the commission’s general counsel and ethics director Kerrie Stillman. “As far as I’m concerned, someone on your staff knowingly leaked this memo and weaponized it, how did this happen?”
The opinion by the ethics commission was released to the Orlando Sentinel last Friday in response to a public records request.
In fact, Stillman responded that the memo wasn’t leaked, but produced in response to numerous public records requests.
“Producing it was my call and mine alone,” she wrote. “There was no ill intent and no weaponization of this situation by me or anyone else on staff.”
Gilzean Weighs His Options
In his correspondence, Gilzena also asked the ethics commission general counsel to review his contract with the CFTOD and propose specific changes that you believe would bring it into conformity with the relevant rules.”
“As you know, I am not a lawyer and believed my status at CFTOD was of no concern,” Gilzean wrote. “At the very least, I did not appreciate the nuanced factors that distinguish an employee and an independent contractor. Regardless, now that this has come to my attention. Please rest assured that I am weighing my options and will take action before the Commission’s next meeting.”
The ethics commission is scheduled to meet next on September 8.
While members of the commission, including Gilzean, are unpaid, the CFTOD administrator earns $400,000 for his role in the special district.
What Happens Next
If Gilzean doesn’t resign from the ethics commission, he could be removed for cause by a majority vote of the governor, Senate president, House speaker, and chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
So far, none of those leaders have weighed in on the matter.
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