Local

Critics question whether Juan Lynum lives in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — The son of longtime Orlando city commissioner Daisy Lynum wants to take his mother's District 5 seat, but Channel 9 has uncovered Juan Lynum may not even live in Orlando.

Days after Juan Lynum's announcement, his mother said she's dropping out of the race, which some say is an effort to pave the way for her son to get the job.

Since then, Channel 9's Lori Brown found a complaint was filed claiming Juan Lynum doesn't live in Orlando and resides in Sumter County, where he receiving a homestead exemption for a home there.

That's a problem, Brown said, because to run for office in Orlando, the city requires candidates provide proof that they have lived in the district for at least a year.

The 38-year-old claims in his paperwork that he lives at a home on Rock Lake Drive, the same address his mother has listed for years each time she has run for office.

The address claim has Parramore advocate Lawanna Gelzer crying foul.

"You do not live with your mother, and you should not be running for office in Orlando," she said.

Gelzer delivered a complaint to the city alleging Juan Lynum is not living with his mother. Her complaint sites a Tampa news story that shows Juan Lynum speaking as a Tampa resident.

Brown did some digging and found in 2013 Juan Lynum claimed a homestead tax exemption on a house in Wildwood, Sumter County.

To get a homestead exemption, the property must be listed as a primary residence.

Channel 9 called Sumter County, and the property appraiser confirmed that the home is owned by an Edward Juan Lynum with the same birthdate Juan Lynum lists on his driver's license.

He has received a homestead exemption in Sumter County since 2010 and is on track to receive it again this year, Brown found.