RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — The Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General stated that Riviera Beach City Councilman Terence Davis’ legislative formed a political consulting company and took money from companies doing business in the city.
It is the second OIG report on Riviera Beach released in just two weeks, the first one focused on credit card expenditures by city officials.
“It’s a very weighty part of any investigation,” said Florida Atlantic University Professor Craig Hanson.
The OIG has forwarded the concerns to the county and state ethics and election commissions.
“What should happen is when things go wrong, there should be a mechanism to rectify it and we’re seeing that,” Hanson said.
The report had four main findings:
1. Ms. Williams did not submit Outside Employment Disclosure forms
2. Ms. Williams may have had conflicting employment with individuals or businesses having a contract with the city.
3. Councilman Davis may have a conflicting relationship with Ms. Williams.
4. Councilman Davis may have filed inaccurate campaign reports when he ran for council in 2016.
“I welcome the investigations and I have done nothing wrong,” Davis said on Tuesday evening.
Both Davis and Williams denied any wrongdoing in their written response to the OIG report.
The second OIG report in just two weeks, and the question what if anything might change in the city in turmoil.
“Anything is on the table for the city to review,” Hanson said.
City Manager Karen Hoskins could not be reached for comment.
Davis said he was not concerned about the OIG forwarding their concerns to the ethics commission.
Palm Beach County’s ethics commission only has jurisdiction for 2 years. The issues raised in the OIG report stem back mostly to 2016.
The highest fine imposed from the county could be $500.
