Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida
Filed: Sep. 14, 1992
On July 22, 1992, the State of Florida Commission on Ethics entered its order finding probable cause that Respondent, Jerry Columbus, committed three violations of Section 112.313(6), F.S., as chief building official for the City of Port Orange, Florida by: (a) requiring changes to a house being built across the street from property which he owned; (b) building a swimming pool on his property which did not meet the proper building codes and by requiring the employee reviewing the plans for the pool to approve them; and (c) using city employees and city vehicles to pick up building materials and supplies and to perform work on a house that Respondent was building. The issue is whether those violations occurred, and if so, what discipline or penalty is appropriate.Bldg official violated ethics code by requiring aesthetic changes to a house being built in his neighborhood-recommended fine : $1500.
