BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
In a public report dated Oct. 30, 2024, the State of Florida Ethics Commission has found County Coordinator Jimmy Williams cleared of all three charges brought against him.
Williams was accused of using his position to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption for himself, using his position to secure a disproportionate benefit for himself or another, and having an employment or contractual relationship with a business entity that is subject to the regulation of the county…creating a conflict between his private interests and the performance of his public duties. The complaint was dismissed with the issuance of the public report.
The matter started in October 2023 when Union County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Kellie Rhoades and her Deputy Clerk Pam Woodington brought the three allegations against Williams before the Union County Board of County Commissioners. The claims stemmed from the permitting process on a house Williams was building.
The county board investigated and found no issues in the matter. Rhoades and Woodington then drove to the Gainesville office of State Attorney Brian Kramer to submit the allegations.
In response, the board hired labor attorneys Constangy and Brooks to conduct an investigation on its behalf.
While Kramer’s report to the board found substance to the allegations, the labor attorneys found nothing and even commented on the inaccuracies in the state attorney’s report, including the fact that the custodian of public records (Rhoades) did not supply the requested and subpoenaed records of emails related to the matter.
This was confirmed by Union County’s IT Specialist. Constangy and Brooks found no sufficient evidence of wrongdoing by Williams. The matter was then pushed on to the Florida State Ethics Commission by Kramer and Rhoades.
During much of this legal matter, Williams deemed it necessary to hire the services of an attorney of his own.
The county coordinator was put on administrative leave with pay for most of this time, then allowed to return to his job with stipulations.
When first hired, the board had no issue with the fact that Williams was a contractor who built houses in Union and the surrounding counties. As a condition of his reinstatement, Williams was required by the board to agree not to build any more houses in the county.
The county coordinator said he is glad to be cleared of all charges, but he regrets the effect the process has had on him.
“It has been an extremely stressful and damaging ordeal for me, both personally and professionally, and has affected every facet of my life,” Williams said. “I have stood strong because I knew in my heart the allegations were false and because I love this county, it’s citizens and my job. I kept my faith in God and believed that I would be cleared. I knew the entire truth would be proven in the end and it has been. It is a huge relief to finally vindicate my name and I am looking forward to moving forward, putting all this behind me and continuing to do what is right and do my job as a servant to the county.”
Williams thanked those who stood by him during the ordeal, particularly, county commissioners.
“I want to thank the commissioners and others for supporting me and having confidence in my moral character,” he said.
