Bunnell, FL – Flagler County Attorney Al Hadeed is cleared by the Florida Bar in a grievance filed against him by former Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks.
The 7th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee dismissed Weeks’ complaint against Hadeed as well as another one filed against Hadeed by Flagler resident John Ruffalo, saying that there was “no probable cause” for either one.
Hadeed said that he received official confirmation from the Florida Bar in a letter sent to him on Wednesday.
“We fully and professionally cooperated with all of the investigating agencies,” Hadeed said following the ruling. “These dismissals will allow us to fully focus on other county business that yields a meaningful, tangible benefit to our citizens.”
Weeks resigned her position in January 2014 and was arrested that following May on 12 felony counts for secretly recording conversations – including one between Hadeed and Flagler County Commissioner Charlie Erickson – without the knowledge of the people being recorded.
In her complaint, Weeks claimed that Hadeed committed a felony by telling Erickson about an event from a previous canvassing board meeting. She’s now awaiting trial following her indictment by a grand jury for recording that conversation and others.
In his complaint, Ruffalo accused Hadeed of using his position for personal financial gain in regards to legal representation to defend himself and county commissioners who were also subject to complaints from himself, Weeks and others.
Flagler County Commissioner George Hanns was reinstated to the county’s canvassing board last October after Weeks – also a member of the canvassing board at the time – tried to have him removed because he was mistakenly quoted in a mailer sent to around 1,000 voters by a candidate running for election. The Florida Division of Elections ruled Weeks didn’t have the authority to remove Hanns.
Weeks is also accused of violating the Sunshine Law by not disclosing required information to media outlets when requested.
Al Hadeed (photo courtesy Flagler Live)
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