Commissioner Bill Proctor Calls for New CRA Director Amid “Illegal Shake Downs”

Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor has renewed his request that the current CRA Executive Director Roxanne Manning be replaced.

In a letter to CRA Board members, Proctor writes, “I ask that you fire Roxanne Manning, suspend all CRA agreements, conduct a financial audit and invite a criminal investigation by the State Attorney.”

Proctor has previously documented his concerns with Manning and sought her ouster. Back in October 2017, Commissioner Proctor sent a letter, to then City Manager Rick Fernandez, addressing concerns about the FBI investigation and the overall management of the CRA.

Proctor wrote, “Roxanne has led the City’s CRA into the largest FBI investigation of a local government in history.  This distinction is not shared by any other local administrator. It warrants her removal from the post and the senior ranks should all be sanitized.

This new request is based on recent reports addressing bribery allegations involving CRA projects and former City Commissioner Scott Maddox in 2014.

Proctor writes, “recent published reports announced that corruption, illegal shake downs and benefits for CRA members are occurring. ” Proctor added, “no public business should proceed or happen in this type of environment.  It is important that the issues related to the operation standards are cleared up and that new standards are applied.”

Proctor is also is requesting that the State Attorney to conduct a formal criminal investigation into the Tallahassee CRA.

Steve Stewart

Steve Stewart is the founder and editor of Tallahassee Reports which began in 2009 as an online blog. Steve received a Bachelors Degree from Clemson University in 1984 and a Masters degree in Political Science from FSU in 1990. He has been involved with state and local politics since arriving in Tallahassee in 1989.

View all posts by Steve Stewart →

12 Comments

  1. Jim D
    Jim D

    Confused here. If Manning turned in Maddox to City attorney why is Billy demanding her firing? Did he prefer she ignore Scotty's crime? Sounds like punishing the innocent to me. Why is Billy so POed? What did I miss?

  2. sc
    sc

    Now why the hate on Proctor? He's doing something right here so lets support him.

    The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

    Mr Proctor, you are my friend.

  3. Deep Six
    Deep Six

    Looks like Billy is trying to shift all the blame from a corrupt city commission to a "local administrator". Nice try, but it ain't gonna work, we already know who the usual suspects are, Commissioner.

  4. truth sayer
    truth sayer

    once again "Bigmouth Bill" makes an outlandish comment and it's "news" - NOT. The man does nothing for his constituents and does not live in his district - why Erwin does not go after him with the same initiative as the city is beyond me. Billy boy is not on the CRA his OPINION is no more news than my opinion of his nonsense - I thought TR was above this TD typical behavior. And I agree with the commenters above if anyone should be fired for corruption - Bill needs to look in the mirror FIRST

    1. News Maven
      News Maven

      Actually Proctor just refuses to go to CRA meetings:
      http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2017/07/11/county-commissioners-vote-leave-downtown-cra-2020/464504001/
      He wanted the county commissars out of it immediately. They voted to leave the CRA, but not until 2020.

  5. Vernon
    Vernon

    The CRA should be abolished. It can never be administered in an impartial manner. Someone will always be there to steer this money to someone "they" think it should go to. This is a reprehensible use of taxpayer money...which should be spent to benefit everyone...not just a select few. I view everyone that receives money from the CRA as co-conspirators in a fraud against the taxpayers.

    While some recipients could be a worthy cause for a philanthropist or an investor, it is STILL an illegal use of public funds. A restaurant and a grocery store? Really?

  6. News Maven
    News Maven

    If I had to take a wild guess, I'd say Buckhead Bill's seat at the CRA trough was usurped by Scottie. So if he can't get a piece of the action, he's gonna cry foul on the whole mess.

  7. Gabriel
    Gabriel

    Ladies, spot on! CRA slush fund has been operating as such for years! How many years had Proctor been on Commission? Remember when they used public taxpayers funds to fund Jazz Festival at Cascade and then to their embarrassment once exposed cancelled. Wondering what grande scheme is in play that has Proctor and behind the scenes surrogates wanting to sound the bells that toll louder than usual. That slush fund is green light to the Feds.

  8. TRS
    TRS

    SENIOR CORRUPT RANKS SANITIZED.

    Succinct, Mr. Proctor; and please add thrown in jail.

    “Proctor wrote, “Roxanne has led the City’s CRA into the largest FBI investigation of a local government in history. This distinction is not shared by any other local administrator. It warrants her removal from the post and the senior ranks should all be sanitized.”

  9. News Maven
    News Maven

    Is he also requesting the State Attorney investigate whether or not commissioners actually live in the district they represent?
    Just askin', in a "glass houses shouldn't throw stones" kind of way.

    1. News Maven
      News Maven

      Evidence on county commish not living is his district lands on gov's desk:
      http://thecapitolist.com/surveillance-evidence-against-st-lucie-county-commissioner-lands-on-gov-desantiss-desk/

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