9 Investigates Sanford Jet Rental Company

SANFORD, Fla.,None — 9 Investigates a jet rental company in Sanford whose rent is thousands of dollars overdue at the Orlando-Sanford International Airport. Investigative reporter George Spencer asked why the airport did not have plans to collect.

A 1999 Sunjet plane crash in a South Dakota field killed golfer Payne Stewart and thrust the jet's owner, Sanford airport-based James Watkins Jr., into a harsh spotlight. However, his company was not found responsible.

Sunjet eventually shut down at the Sanford airport, but Watkins opened two new companies: Avion Jet Center and Southern Jet Center at the airport.

WFTV uncovered new issues. Records show Watkins' companies leased hangar space and are nearly $200,000 behind in rent. That is about nine months worth of payments.

Airport leaders admitted that until now, there were no plans for collecting that money.

"We believe it pays to work with that tenant. But at some point, you may be exactly right. We'll come to the point of no return," said Geoffrey Longstaff of the Sanford Airport Authority.

Property records show Watkins' father, James Watkins Sr., bought a home from Sanford airport President Larry Dale in 2000.

Also, in just the last year, the airport vice president said Dale has used the jet company where Watkins Sr. now works, for more than $6,000 of travel.

WFTV reporter George Spencer tried to ask Dale if the relationship played into the decision to not collect rent, but he replied, "I'm not going to comment on any of that, George."

Even Sanford's mayor appears concerned about the back rent issue. WFTV found emails from Mayor Triplett requesting a full copy of the airport's balance sheet.

The only other business significantly behind on rent is Millwork International. It owes about $100,000, and its owner said that it is because of slow sales in the bad economy.

Watkins Sr. said his son's rent was too high. However, airport board members said the rent leniency was simply good business, because no one else was asking to rent the space.

After WFTV raised the issue, it got an email from airport leaders saying they are now working to resolve the back rent issue and said that some unpaid rent was covered by a company that took over Watkins' space.

Watkins Jr. could not be reached for comment.

WFTV