Tadros ended his employment with the City of Tallahassee in July 2018.

His hiring as a consultant in August 2018 came after records were released from the Florida Commission on Ethics that raised questions about how Tadros conducted business as a high level city manager.

For example, in June 2018 the Tallahassee Democrat reported:

The ethics investigation also shows the lengths to which other city officials would go for Corey and his clients. For example, Mike Tadros, the outgoing director of underground utilities who is retiring on July 15, saw himself as an entrepreneur running a business that required him to reach out frequently to clients.

It was reported that Tadros was directed by Fernandez to work with vendors and lobbyist who are currently the focus of the FBI investigation into city hall corruption. This included Adam Corey.

It was also reported that Tadros took football tickets from a vendor who was subsequently named in the recent federal indictment of Scott Maddox.

Tadros was one of the City of Tallahassee employees that received football tickets from then City Manager Rick Fernandez.

In April 2018 TR reported:

This came to  light after an investigation prompted by an ethics complaint. City Manager Reese Goad reported that Ellen Blair, Human Resources director, and Mike Tadros, general manager of Underground Utilities both received tickets for FSU Old School sky box seats at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Goad concluded there was no violation of city policy.

The controversy resulted in the resignation of Fernandez.

The professional services agreement with Tadros was signed on August 15, 2018 and is valid for up to two years. Tadros is scheduled to be paid $88 per hour for his services with a cap of $10,000. However, the agreement can be modified.

The agreement states that “the City is desirous of obtaining the services of Mr. Tadros for purposes of assisting the City Attorney’s Office in administrative and litigation matters which arose during the time period when Mr. Tadros was employed with the City of Tallahassee.”

TR was the first to report on the catering discount and the use of the FSU football tickets.

In the settlement Fernandez acknowledges violations of various ethics statutes. However, Fernandez disputed all probable cause findings which related to accepting or soliciting gifts with the understanding that his official actions or judgment would be influenced.

The settlement recommends a public censure and reprimand and a civil penalty totaling $6,000.

Amid the controversy, Fernandez resigned from his city manager position with the City of Tallahassee on January 3, 2018 and, as part of the separation agreement, received $94,000, or 18 weeks of pay.

If the Commission on Ethics accepts the settlement, a trial by an administrative hearing officer will be avoided and  the matter will be closed.

Following an ethics complaint filed by Dr. Erwin Jackson on August 22, 2017, the Commission on Ethics found probable cause related to twenty of the twenty-four allegations in the the ethics complaint involving six sections of the Florida Statutes.

The violations related to a discount on the catering price for his daughter’s wedding reception from the Edison restaurant and the use of FSU football tickets provided by city lobbyists.

The settlement states that Fernandez admitted to the following violations:

• Respondent failed to report as a gift in excess of $100 related to the discount on catering for his daughter’s wedding reception in excess of $100.
• Respondent solicited a gift (football tickets) from a vendor, lobbyist, and/or the partner, firm, employer or principal of a lobbyist of the City of Tallahassee.
• Respondent accepted gifts  in excess of $100 vendor, lobbyist, and/or the partner, firm, employer or principal of a lobbyist of the City of Tallahassee.  The gifts were FSU football tickets to Charleston Southern, North Carolina, Wake Forest and Boston College games.

But Mayor Gillum’s former chief of staff, Dustin Daniels, is campaigning on it.

What is it? It is Tallahassee’s increase in murders while Andrew Gillum was the mayor of Tallahassee.

On a campaign mailer, Dustin Daniels, who is running for his boss’s soon to be vacant Tallahassee mayoral seat, is informing voters that “Tallahassee had the highest number of murders in history last year.” See mailer below.

“Last year” would be 2017 when Daniels was the chief of staff for Mayor Andrew Gillum.

Reviewing FDLE data going back to 1995 shows that there were 17 murders in Tallahassee in 2017, the highest during that 22 year period. Also, the second highest murder total (16) during this period occurred in 2015.

Gillum was elected mayor in 2014.

Tallahassee Reports has published detailed research on the increase in the Tallahassee murder rate which began to trend upward in 2009 after Gillum and the Tallahassee city commission ignored pleas for help from law enforcement officials.

In 2017 the murder rate in the City of Tallahassee was higher than rates in Miami and Orlando.

Daniels also points out in the mailer that “we top the state for the highest crime rate.”

Daniels is referencing the fact that Tallahassee/Leon County has led the state of Florida with the highest crime rate in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Daniels says “WE MUST DO BETTER.”

The message put forth by Daniels is at odds with the message of gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, who is telling voters Tallahassee is already doing better due to the decline in crime for the first six months of 2018. In the process, Gillum is ignoring the decisions that contributed to the record setting crimes rates in Tallahassee which include historical highs in murders.

The graph below shows that this murder rate ranked third when compared to the 10 largest cities in Florida. Jacksonville (12.2) and Tampa (10.5) were ranked ahead of Tallahassee.

Tallahassee had a higher murder rate than six other cities which included Orlando (8.2) and Miami (7.6).

Gainesville and Lakeland, two other cities often compared to Tallahassee, had significantly lower murder rates in 2017. Gainesville, with a population of 129,816, had a murder rate of 3.1 and Lakeland, with a population of 104,185 had a murder rate of 1.0.

Tallahassee’s murder rate trend has consistently increased since 2009.

At the next city commission meeting, Police Michael DeLeo will report that mid-year crime rates in 2018 are down when compared to 2017.

This report follows a 2017 decline in crime rate. The crime rate increased in 2014,2015 and 2016.

However, even though the crime-rate was down in 2017, Leon County led Florida in crime per capita for the fourth year in a row.

Following four years (2009-2013) of not providing funds for more police officers, the city commission voted to begin adding officers in mid 2014 for the fiscal year 2015.

Based on current information, since 2015 the city has added resources for approximately 60 police officers. The budget for patrol operations has increased approximatel 25% from $20 million in 2014 to approximately $25 million in 2018.

However, while the crime rate – a measure of all crime – has declined in 2017 and 2018, the murder rate has increased despite more officers. For example, in 2017 the city of Tallahaseee had a higher murder rate than Miami and Orlando.

From Chief DeLeo’s report:

Crime fell approximately 14% in calendar year 2017 and the crime rate reached five-year low. The trend has continued into 2018. During the first six months of 2018 there were 217 fewer reported Violent Crimes, which is a 24.4% reduction in comparison to the first six months of 2017. Also, there were 352 fewer reported Property Crimes resulting in a 7.6% reduction. Overall, crime is down 10.3% during for the first six months of 2018. Additionally, TPD’s 2018 clearance rate has increased to 21.2% vs. 16.1% in 2017.

View raw UCR data here.

Base rates are the portion of the electric bill that covers the expenses required to produce and deliver electricity. These expenses include salaries, debt service, and routine maintenance.

Base rates are adjusted annually by the Consumer Price Index.

The city staff reports that “a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours will see a monthly bill decrease of 3.3%, from $112.81 to $109.07.”

Also, residential customers who use natural gas will see an approximate 10% decrease in base rates and in their over all bill.

The city staff reports “a typical residential customer with average winter usage of 40 ccf will see a monthly bill decrease of 10%, from $58.75 to $52.79.”

The new rates will be discussed during a public hearing at city hall on September 12th, 2018.

Interestingly, the item listed on the city agenda, which addresses the city’s state lobbyist contract, was originated from Gillum’s office.

In fact, Mayor Gillum’s office is recommending the city commission “approve the award of a one-year contract extension for State General Lobbying Services to Ronald Book P.A..”

In September 2016, Gillum recommended a contract extension to the the highest bidder, Ronald Book P.A.

Pittman has been a part of the Ronald Book P.A. city of Tallahassee lobbying team for years.

Also, Pittman is a personal friend and frequent travel companion of Gillum, a campaign donor, and a city vendor.

Tallahassee Reports was the first to document a controversial trip by newly elected Mayor Gillum to Pittsburgh which included Pittman, Adam Corey and Dustin Daniels.

More recently, media reports have documented a Gillum’s trip to Costa Rica which, again, included Pittman and Corey. At the time, both Pittman and Corey where city of Tallahassee vendors.

Also, Gillum has not been able to provide documents verifying his payment explanation for his accommodations while in Costa Rica. In fact, Mr. Corey –through his attorney – has disputed Gillum’s explanation.

One of the options proposed multiple lots forming one linear property cornering Polk Drive and South Monroe. Inner Harbor Partners proposed $1,600,000 for the property, which would require demolition and additional improvements.

The accepted offer, provided by NAI TALCOR, constituted two different proposals. The first was the sale of Towne South Center for $5,500,000. The second proposal included the sale of Towne South Center plus additional square footage for $5,925,000.

The commission voted on the initial NAI TALCOR offering, which was for the purchase of Towne Center South for $5,500,000 without the additional acreage. This price falls within the city’s $6,365,000 budget for the purchase.

Towne South Center has approximately 570 feet fronting on the east side of S. Monroe Street and 51 feet fronting on S. Meridian Street. The shopping center is currently occupied by 11 tenants with remaining lease terms ranging from one to 15 years. Additional costs would be required for the relocation and/or buy-out of the existing leases. Demolition costs would be incurred to make the parcels usable for the proposed Public Safety Campus.

City Commissioner Scott Maddox voted against the NAI TALCOR proposal. Maddox preferred to use city owned property in the area for the construction of the new public safety campus.

Parameters for choosing the property included strategic location, size suitability, development considerations, accessibility, infrastructure adequacy, planning and scheduling, and overall price. With these factors in mind, NAI TALCOR’s bid received the most favorable score based on the city’s criteria.

City staff said that the property acquisition furthers the Tallahassee Police Department’s mission to address public safety through community policing. Furthermore, the commission trusts that the purchase will “meet current and future operational needs, include recreational spaces, regional training facilities, and public safety services.”

The straw ballot (only NEBA members could participate) after the session showed that three votes separated the winner, Leon County Commissioner John Dailey, and second place finisher Michelle Rewhinkel Vasilinda.

The top two were followed by Joe West, Carrie Litherland, Dustin Daniels, and Norris Barr.

Approximately 140 people watched as six candidates were peppered with questions from NEBA Program Chair Ted Thomas.

The program provided for a two minute introduction for each candidate, one minute to answer questions and a rapid fire round which called for yes and no answers.

When asked about their top priority, five candidates (Dailey, Litherland, Vasilinda, West, & Barr) addressed integrity and public trust while Dustin Daniels identified crime as the top issue.

Both Dailey and Vasilinda provided specific proposals for addressing the public trust issue.

Vasilinda said that crime, corruption, and cronyism were her top priorities and proposed that city commissioners should file the Form 6 financial disclosure instead of the less revealing Form 1 currently required.

Dailey followed and agreed with the Form 6 idea and said he supported a zero gift policy. He also proposed reforming the way public speakers are limited when addressing the city commission.

Joe West, who is a newcomer to politics but has been in the mayors race since November 2017, said that conflicts of interest and citizens receiving the best value for their tax dollars was his top priority. He also said he would support appointing Dr. Erwin Jackson to the City’s Independent Ethics Board.

Two relatively unknown candidates and newcomers to the race – Litherland and Barr – both expressed a need for a fresh start and stressed the importance of public trust.

Mayor Gillum’s former chief of staff, Dustin Daniels, focused on crime and the need to help the 1,000 people who will soon be released from prison and taking up residence in Leon County.

During the yes and no format part of the program, questions about the city utilities and the recently debated Children’s Services Council (CSC) provided a look into some differences among the candidates.

When the candidates were asked if they would explore the potential of selling the city utilities, Dailey, Vasilinda, and West answered yes.  Litherland, Barr and Daniels said no.

With regards to the CSC ballot language, Dailey, Barr, Litherland said they supported a 2020 referendum, while West and Vasilinda said no.

Daniels said he supported a 2018 referendum and would now support the 2020 date.

In addition to these differences, there was a significant level of consensus on major governing issues among the candidates.

For example, all candidates supported a review of the city charter, the creation of a citizens budget review committee, changing the current at-large election of city commissioners to district elections, and the creation of an inspector general.

This agreement indicates the upcoming election could result in significant changes at city hall.

A finding of probable cause is not a determination that a violation has occurred. Such a determination is made only after a full evidentiary hearing on the allegations.

Dr. Erwin Jackson, a local business owner and watchdog of local government, filed the complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics addressing three separate issues involving Mr. Fernandez.

Jackson, who was allowed in the closed-door hearing, told TR the staff recommendation determined that the Edison catering discount was a gift valued at over $6,000 and that Fernandez received 16 football tickets valued at $128 each.

If a settlement is not reached between Fernandez and the Commission on Ethics, a full hearing will take place in the coming months.

Jackson told TR that the “Florida Ethics Commission has confirmed today, what I have been saying for several years, that Rick Fernandez used his position as city manager for his personal financial gain. He is finally being held accountable for his unethical actions. I am certain several other city officials will be held accountable soon. I am disappointed that our city commissioners gave Fernandez a $100,000 bonus to get him to resign. Shameful.”

The complaint and the statement of facts addressed a discount that the daughter of Rick Fernandez received from the Edison restaurant for a catering event, the hiring of the salesperson for the catering event, Eddie Kring, without publicly advertising the job, and accepting football tickets from the owner of the Edison restaurant and city lobbyist Adam Corey in 2016.

TR broke stories in 2017 on the catering discount, the unadvertised job provided to Kring, and the solicitation of football tickets by Fernandez.

After TR’s reporting, the Tallahassee Democrat recovered a copy of a text message showing Fernandez soliciting football tickets from a city lobbyist.

Also, the Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew reported earlier this week that the Florida Commission on Ethics would recommend “that former Tallahassee City Manager Rick Fernandez be charged with violating state ethics laws, according to sources close to the matter.”

TR has previously reported that Mayor Andrew Gillum’s office negotiated with the Tallahassee Democrat to publish ten stories favorable to Andrew Gillum’s “Friendly Workplace Initiative.” The ten stories were written by Tallahassee Democrat journalist TaMaryn Waters and highlighted Gillum’s “Family Friendly Workplace” initiative he began in 2015.

Gillum announced his candidacy for governor on March 1st, 2017. In May 2017, the Mayor’s Office was billed $10,000 for the stories.

A review of campaign reports shows two businesses that were deemed to have family friendly workplaces were also campaign donors to Gillum’s gubernatorial political action committee, Forward Florida.

TR is still waiting on additional public records associated with this issue. To date, no records show that the businesses featured in the Tallahassee Democrat series were aware that the Mayor’s Office was paying to have the articles published.

On March 8th, 2017, Sam Rogers and Bart Gunter, who are affiliated with Rogers, Gunter, Vaughn Insurance, each donated $5,000 to Forward Florida.

An article financed by the Mayor’s Office featuring Rogers Gunter Vaughn Insurance workplace practices was published in the Tallahassee Democrat on April 3rd, 2017.

On April 1st, 2017, the Tallahassee Democrat featured Mainline Information Systems as a family friendly workplace. The CEO of Mainline, Rick Kearney, donated $10,000 to Forward Florida on January 31, 2018.

Kearney has previously made campaign donations to Gillum’s local races.

From the subpoena:

Please provide the following documents regarding Cascades Holdings LLC d/b/a Edison Restaurant (Edison) and Adam Corey:

a. Any and all City of Tallahassee audit files and reports related to reviews, examinations or audits of the project undertaken by Cascades Holdings, LLC d/b/a Edison Restaurant and Adam
Corey.

b. Certified copies of the approval documents related to Edison including any and all staff evaluations.

c. Records of any and all votes by the Tallahassee City Commission-as to applications made related to Edison.

d. Copies of all proposals, business plans and submissions to the City of Tallahassee regarding Edison.

e. All electronic or written communications including, but not limited to emails, text messages, facsimiles and letters to and from Corey, City of Tallahassee officials or employees regarding Edison.

f. Documentation regarding any and all financial transactionss between the City of Tallahassee or Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency and Edison or Adam Corey, i.e. funding provided to rehabilitate the site now known as Edison.