Jacksonville, FL — The Ethics case against Jacksonville Democratic State Representative Kim Daniels could soon be dismissed.
The Florida Commission on Ethics will decide at their January meeting whether to close the case against Daniels because of a lack of jurisdiction. The motion from the Commission Advocate says the complaint against Daniels- which relates to her time on Jacksonville’s City Council- was filed too close to an election, against Florida Statutes and Code.
The motion cites statute and code which says a complaint cannot be filed- nor can the intent to file be declared- on an election day ore within thirty days prior, unless the complaint is based on personal information or information other than hearsay. The complaint against Daniels was filed May 15th, which was just four days before the election where Daniels ultimately lost her bid for re-election to the City Council. The information was also based on a media report and, therefore, hearsay.
As a result, the Advocate is recommending the Commission dismiss the matter for lack of jurisdiction. That would close the case in front of the Commission. The vote will take place during their meeting January 19th.
The Commission found probable cause that Daniels filed inaccurate "Full and Public Disclosure of Financial Interests" for three years. The complaint includes that Daniels failed to disclose certain assets and liabilities, including mortgages, real property assets, and time-share property. Daniels says her church- Spoken Word Ministries- pays mortgages and premiums on her life insurance policy, among other things, and therefore they are not her assets and liabilities.
Daniels recently reached a deal to settle a Florida Elections Commission case she had faced as well.