Ex-Daytona Beach deputy city manager enters not guilty plea to prostitution charges

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A former Daytona Beach deputy city manager arrived in court Wednesday after deputies said he was caught up in a prostitution sting.

Gary Shimun's attorney filed a written plea of not guilty on Shimun’s behalf in court.

Shimun did not comment and gave Channel 9’s camera the middle finger. He also dodged reporter Mike Springer’s questions about his arrest in a prostitution sting last month.

“Do you have anything to say to the people of Daytona Beach?” Springer asked.

“Get out of the way,” Shimun’s attorney David Damore said.

Volusia County deputies said Shimun responded to a prostitution ad an undercover deputy posted on backpage.com.

Investigators said Shimun arrived at a hotel to meet the undercover deputy, but left before anything happened.

The State Attorney's Office filed the charge of “offer to commit prostitution” against Shimun.

It's a misdemeanor crime.

Shimun entered a not guilty plea to the charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 60 days in jail and or six months of probation.

Shimun resigned from his position with the city shortly after the sting. He had been working for the city for about two years.

Cox Media Group