Jacksonville, FL — Jacksonville Democratic State Representative Kim Daniels has reached an agreement to end the state ethics case she's facing.
A Joint Stipulation between Daniels and the Advocate for the Florida Commission on Ethics says Daniels will admit to filing inaccurate financial disclosure forms during three years that she was on the Jacksonville City Council. The Joint Stipulation is still pending approval by the Commission later this month.
Daniels first faced these allegations back in 2015, but the Ethics case that came from that was ultimately dismissed because of a jurisdictional issue that came from the timing of the complaint being filed. In February 2018, the complaints were brought forward once again, and the Commission found probable cause to believe violations had occurred.
In 2012, 2013, and 2014, Daniels is accused of not disclosing mortgages on properties in Broward and Duval, as well as time-share properties in Daytona Beach and Orlando. In initially refuting the claims, Daniels said her church, Spoken Word Ministries, Inc. carried those liabilities, not her. She did admit that she was a guarantor, and would be responsible for payments if the church failed to, according to Commission documents.
The Advocate found one property and home equity line to be specifically listed in Daniels’ name. Commission filings show there was conflicting evidence and claims on the ownership of the time-shares, which would likely have made them subject to disclosure. Additionally, while the church-owned property may have been exempt from disclosure, the Advocate noted it was “interesting” that one of the properties listed as a church asset was being sold and the proceeds split among the couple, as part of their marriage dissolution.
The Joint Stipulation says Daniels has since amended her financial disclosures.
If the Commission approves the Joint Stipulation at their meeting later this month, it would lead to a Final Order saying Daniels violated Florida law. The matter would then be referred to the Florida House Speaker. Florida Statute says the Speaker would refer the complaint to the appropriate committee to investigate. From there, penalties could be imposed, but it’s unclear at this time what that would involve.
A Spokesperson for the Florida Commission on Ethics says, if the matter is approved and referred to the House, it is up to that chamber to determine what the penalty would be. There is a provision of the law that allows the House committee to ask the Commission for its recommendation of what, if any, penalty there should be.
WOKV has reached out to the House Speaker for comment on the case and possible penalties.
If the Commission does not approve the Joint Stipulation, the terms are no longer considered admissions by Daniels.