City Leaders Won't Disclose Who They Gave Magic Tix To

Eyewitness News exposed Tuesday that Orlando's mayor and city leaders have been enjoying the Magic in the NBA Finals from a luxury skybox and taxpayers footed the bill.

Eyewitness News' investigation showed Orlando city leaders use their SkyBox at Amway Arena, but Orange County's government gives its tickets away to charity. On Wednesday, Eyewitness News asked Orlando city leaders, several times, why they're keeping their SkyBox seats for themselves and WFTV reporter Mary Nguyen got some answers.

VOTE: Should City Leaders Have Donated Tickets?VIDEO REPORT: Dyer, Lynum Change Their Tune

Wednesday, Eyewitness News confronted Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and he said he's going to buy his own seats for the next game, but he wouldn't say who he was giving his SkyBox tickets to.

Mayor Dyer used his free luxury SkyBox tickets for Tuesday night's game and was scheduled to use another pair for Thursday's game, but now he's changed his tune.

On Tuesday, Mayor Dyer said, "Well it's the city box and those are available to the city staff."

On Wednesday, he said, "I don't have tickets for Thursday. I'm not using the tickets for Thursday."

City leaders came under fire for using the Magic tickets after Eyewitness News first reporter Orange County leaders donated their seats to charities. Orlando Union Rescue Mission got some and is auctioning them off. The mission is down by $100,000 in revenue this year. If the organization is able to raise just $1,000, it could serve an extra 252 meals.

"We operate on 100-percent contribution," said Don Moody, Orlando Union Rescue Mission.

Orlando Commissioner Daisy Lynum was also on the list for tickets to Tuesday night's game, but she refused to answer Eyewitness News questions on Tuesday.

"I'm at a park and you're asking me about damn tickets? Get a life!" she said.

But Wednesday, she claimed she donated her pricey Magic SkyBox seats to charity, but wouldn't say which one.

"I give my tickets to charity," Lynum said.

"Who did you give your tickets to?" Nguyen asked.

"A charity. I will give you a letter later on. I've always done it," Lynum said.

Meanwhile, City Commissioner Sam Ings apparently has no misgivings about a perk Eyewitness News found most big city politicians use to raise money for charity.

"It's my understanding that you plan to use your tickets," WFTV reporter Steve Barrett said to Ings.

"Absolutely. As a matter of fact, I invited some of the people in my district to come and be my guests," he said.

Ings dodged questions about why that is an appropriate use of the tickets.

"You don't want to answer why you deserve free ticket?" Barrett asked.

"I've been watching your rating that you guys have accomplished, so I compliment you on that," Ings said, clearly avoiding the question.

Commissioners Patty Sheehan, Tony Ortiz and Robert Stuart didn't return phone calls about their tickets. Meanwhile, the city said it was going to get back to Eyewitness News and say which charity received Lynum's tickets and who got Buddy Dyer's ticket, but as of late Wednesday afternoon they had not replied.

Also, as previously mentioned, Mayor Dyer will not be in the SkyBox for Game 4, but according to the city he does have four SkyBox tickets to Game 5 on Sunday.

Previous Stories: June 9, 2009: City Leaders Keep Magic Tix Instead Of Donating Them