VERO BEACH, FL -- The State Attorney’s Office has been questioning people involved with the city’s contract with its new power provider as part of a review of the city’s electrical situation.
City Manager Jim Gabbard said he was visited on Oct. 26 by an investigator who told him the State Attorney’s Office was interested in doing a review of the electrical utility. He said he was told the investigation and preliminary review was prompted by media articles read by a complainant.
State Attorney Bruce Colton could not be reached late Monday.
Gabbard said the investigator, who also visited on Nov. 4., did not say specifically what was being investigated. He said the city supplied the investigator with various documents, however, including redacted and unredacted copies of the city contract with Orlando Utilities Commission.
The investigator also spoke with the outside consultant and attorney who worked on the contract with the city.
During the recent City Council election contest, former City Council members Debra Fromang and Bill Fish were asked about whether they saw redacted or unredacted copies of the contract prior to voting on it. Their answers were unclear at first, but later Fromang said they had been furnished with unredacted copies prior to the vote on the contract. Fish also said he read a copy of the contract that had not been blacked out.
Former Councilman Ken Daige said he was called shortly after the last election by an investigator of the State’s Attorney’s Office who said he had a couple of questions about the Orlando Utilities Contract. Daige said he was told it was up to him whether he wanted to come in and answer the questions. He said he decided against going in because he wasn’t given specifics about what the office was seeking.
Gabbard said Monday the contract signed by White was the same one City Council members had approved earlier.
Fromang, White, and Abell said Monday they had not been contacted by the State Attorney’s Office. Gabbard said he was given permission to let the council members know about the State Attorney’s Office interest.
Gabbard said he was not given a timeline when the preliminary review would be done, but would like to see it completed soon.
In the meantime, new City Councilman Charlie Wilson is requesting an item be placed on Dec. 1 City Council agenda that would ask Orlando Utilities Commission to remove a clause calling for a penalty of up to $50 million if either party breaks the contract.
He also is seeking a vote to actively consider a sale of the city’s electric utility under certain circumstances.
In addition, Wilson is seeking to discuss the employment of City Attorney Charles Vitunac, who Wilson has been at odds with recently.
When asked Monday whether he was seeking Wilson’s dismissal, Wilson said he wanted to hear what other council members had to say about Vitunac’s employment. Both Abell and White indicated their support for Vitunac Monday.
