Bunnell, FL – Flagler County’s Sheriff says he’s going to fight after state officials rule that he violated Florida law.
In a press conference Friday afternoon at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations Building on Justice Lane, Jim Manfre denied breaking any laws even while admitting that he took “full responsibility” for his actions and also apologized for the “distractions” these allegations are causing.
That statement came after the Florida Commission on Ethics voted 6-1 on Friday morning that Manfre violated Florida law when he used a county-issued credit card and vehicle for personal use.
The only vote in support of Manfre came from a commission member who is a retired judge from DeBary.
All 4 of the ethics complaints against Manfre were made by Linda Bolante, FCSO’s Chief Financial Officer at the time of the alleged violations, which was soon after he was elected in 2012 to replace Don Fleming.
Manfre was found in violation of using an FCSO credit card for personal purchases, driving an FCSO vehicle out-of-state for personal reasons and accepting a time-share gift without reporting it.
Another complaint about Manfre requesting to get his first FCSO paycheck 2 weeks early was dismissed by an advocate for the state ethics commission, but she ruled that there was “probable cause” that Manfre did commit the other 3 violations.
Prior to Friday’s decision, Manfre made a public plea for the state to drop all the allegations made against him and he stuck to that theme during his press conference, saying that he hadn’t violated any policy, practice or procedure.
Manfre laid much of the blame for his current predicament on prior practices in place when Fleming was Flagler County’s Sheriff, saying that he plans to fight this all the way to court if needed.
He also said that Bolante and then-Undersheriff Rick Staly – the people whose testimony was relied upon by the advocate when making her decision – were the same people he relied on for advice when these allegations first came to light.
Bolante has since retired and is suing Manfre, claiming he forced her to leave the law enforcement agency after reporting the violations to the state. Staly has also since retired from FCSO.
Manfre will face no criminal charges because this is a civil case, but he can be fined, reprimanded, suspended or ever removed from office.
Manfre initially agreed to a settlement back in December which would’ve seen him pay a $1,500 fine and reimburse FCSO for taking one of its vehicles to Tennessee, but it was rejected by the FCOE by an 8-1 vote. The commission then assigned a new advocate to the case.
Manfre – who was also elected Flagler County’s Sheriff in 2000 – plans to run again in 2016, as does Fleming.
Jim Manfre (photo courtesy of FCSO)
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.