U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger Handberg issued a statement Aug. 22 related to public corruption cases in general and the recent sentencing of former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn in particular.
“Public corruption has a corrosive effect on a community. It undermines faith in the government and our institutions. For those reasons and many others, public corruption cases are a top priority of my office,” Handberg said.
He was appointed 2½ years ago to lead the federal prosecutors in the district that comprises 35 of Florida’s 67 counties from Jacksonville through Central Florida to Sarasota.
Handberg said that in that time, his office has prosecuted more than 60 public corruption cases involving law enforcement officers, military members, teachers, postal employees and other public officials. The JEA case was one of the most significant cases prosecuted in Jacksonville.
“I cannot say enough good things about the incredible work that was done by the investigative agencies on that case. The investigation was thorough, meticulous and comprehensive. No stone was left unturned in the pursuit of justice,” Handberg said.
Zahn became CEO of JEA in November 2018. Nine months later, JEA’s board issued an invitation to negotiate a sale of the utility with private companies. The board based the action on claims made by Zahn that the city-owned utility would have to lay off nearly one-third of its workforce and raise electric rates substantially if JEA remained publicly owned.
The proposed sale also included a plan that could have yielded more than $600 million in bonuses for Zahn and others had the sale happened, according to city auditors.
After a local investigation, JEA’s board stopped the sale process in December 2019 and then fired Zahn.
After a federal investigation, Zahn and former JEA CFO Ryan Wannemacher were indicted in March 2022 on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy.
Their trial ended March 15, 2024, with Wannemacher acquitted and Zahn found guilty of the charges. Zahn was sentenced June 30 to serve four years in federal prison.
“I want to commend my office’s partners for their extraordinary efforts on that case. State Attorney Melissa Nelson and her office. The City of Jacksonville Auditor’s Office. And the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Each of these agencies did exemplary work, with the singular purpose of seeking to do justice. Justice for the people of Jacksonville whose trust had been violated,” Handberg said.
“My office’s federal prosecution of the JEA case reflects our dedication and commitment to this community to combat public corruption. I want to thank federal prosecutors Tysen Duva and Arnold Corsmeier and the other members of the trial team from my office for their great work on that case. They have my sincere gratitude.”
Handberg concluded:
“It is often said that public service is a public trust. The vast majority of public servants do their jobs with honor. Some, however, do not. My office will not turn a blind eye to such misconduct. Rather, we will work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who violate the very principles that they are sworn to uphold. Through our prosecutions in federal court, we will seek to promote a culture of accountability and integrity. My office is committed to continuing to prioritize the prosecution of public corruption cases in federal court.”