State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office said it is “looking into matters involving JEA” after multiple calls from Jacksonville officials and organizations since Nov. 30 for an investigation into the public utility’s push to privatize.
“We have heard the concerns of the community over the past several months. This office is — and has been — looking into matters involving JEA. We will not be commenting further,” Nelson said Dec. 18 in a written statement.
Nelson’s announcement comes one day after the Jacksonville Civic Council sent a letter to her office requesting she convene a grand jury investigation into the potential sale of JEA and the city officials, employees and lobbyists involved.
City Council member Matt Carlucci called in a Dec. 15 letter for a grand jury investigation.
The Jacksonville NAACP Branch has received support of both the Florida State Conference of NAACP Branches and the National NAACP to ask the U.S. Congress to open a criminal investigation into Mayor Lenny Curry’s administration and senior JEA executives in response to the possible sale of the utility.
Jacksonville NAACP Branch President Isaiah Rumlin sent a letter Dec. 11 to five members of the U.S. House of Representatives requesting the federal probe.
It’s unclear how long JEA officials have been aware of Nelson’s probe or if it’s considered an official investigation. It’s also unknown if the utility has turned over documents to the state attorney’s office or if anyone at JEA has been interviewed by Nelson’s team.
When asked Dec. 18, JEA Media Manager Gina Kyle said in an email that “JEA will fully cooperate with any and all investigations.”
The utility’s board of directors voted Dec. 17 to fire Managing Director and CEO Aaron Zahn without cause. He’s been placed on paid administrative leave while city attorneys and Zahn’s lawyer negotiate the terms of his termination.
During the Dec. 17 meeting, JEA board Chair April Green said she is aware of additional allegations related to Zahn’s performance, but would not elaborate on the issues or whether they rose to the level of a crime.
“They’re just allegations,” Green said in a news conference after the meeting. “But I feel like we owe it to the ratepayers to investigate.”
Green advocated for Zahn’s termination with cause, stating the CEO misled her and the board on several issues, including a Long-Term Performance Unit Plan that could have cost JEA up to $600 million if the utility were to be sold.
She said she believes an investigation into Zahn could uncover misconduct. The board authorized the city Office of General Counsel to move forward with its own investigation.