Published by the Florida Center for Government Accountability
Florida Ethics Commission finds probable cause in complaint against Naples Mayor Heitmann
WGCU by Michael Braun
The Florida Ethics Commission has found probable cause that Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann, above, misused her position “to steer City employees and City resources to investigate non-City related matters to benefit herself and another individual.”
The commission, which filed the decision on Wednesday, also found she failed to disclose a gift of legal services in excess of $100. The allegations came from a complaint filed with the commission May 20, 2021 by Bob Dye, the city’s information technology director.
In Dye’s complaint he charged Heitmann engaged in misconduct and ethics violations.
“She has abused her position and office, directed me to break Sunshine laws, destroy [public] records, investigated political opponents’ email addresses, used City resources and funds to the benefit of her friend, retaliated against staff and City contractors for perceived slights.”
In the complaint, Dye said that he had worked for the city for eight years and “I have been a witness to Mayor Heitmann’s misconduct and unethical behavior.”
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The Florida Center for Government Accountability contributed to this report. FLCGA (flcganews.org) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to producing strong investigative journalism across the state.