TALLAHASSEE — Fort Pierce Senior Planner Vennis Gilmore admitted to violating state ethics law by not properly disclosing a conflict of interest, according to a presentation made to the Florida Commission on Ethics Sept. 12.
At the same meeting Gilmore accepted a $1,000 fine and a public censure and reprimand, on top of already being demoted by the city, which came with a pay cut, which were also options for punishment.
The joint stipulation agreement, and included punishments, was agreed to by Gilmore and an advocate for the commission, and unanimously approved by the commission.
Gilmore did not disclose he was president of a nonprofit that won a bid to redevelop a parking lot next to the Lincoln Park Theater, the same bidding process that led to the arrest of then-City Manager Nick Mimms, who is charged with bid rigging and official misconduct.
Gilmore was president of Lincoln Park Young Professionals. Caleta Scott, at the time a city employee, also was an officer on the charity’s board. In addition to being a city employee, Scott was Mimms’ neice. Neither filed required conflict of interest forms, and Mimms is accused of helping hide their involvement in the charity, among other allegations.
Fort Pierce City Hall
The community center planned for the site — plans for which won Lincoln Park Young Professionals the 2020 city bid — was never built.
Gilmore was the city’s assistant director of planning before the ethics allegations came to light. An investigation by the city found that Gilmore violated the employee code of conduct, a city notice of disciplinary action says.
He was demoted to senior planner and his salary was reduced nearly $6,500 a year, according to a letter from the city Human Resources Department.
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In a response to the joint stipulation agreement, the man who filed complaints against Gilmore and Mimms said he believes punishments should have gone further. Mario Wilcox said in a letter to the commission that he believes Gilmore should be fired, among other additional measures.
Gilmore, when given an opportunity to speak at the commission meeting, declined to do so.
Wicker Perlis is TCPalm’s Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Vennis Gilmore reaches deal for Florida Commission on Ethics complaint