FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has completed its report about the Fruitland Park mayor after complaints he used a city worker to refurbish his home while on city time.
The State Attorney’s Office declined to go forward with any charges, but the city may reprimand some of those involved.
In December 2013, former commissioner Jim Richardson took issue with the renovation of Mayor Chris Bell’s home.
Richardson claimed the community development director for the city, Charles Rector, did work on the home on city time.
But after a year-long investigation, FDLE found that allegation to be false.
Rector’s son did a bulk of the work.
FDLE did indicate some issues with the construction.
The reports stated that a city employee observed Rector talking about the project on his phone on several occasions while in his office at City Hall.
The report also shows Rector went shopping for construction supplies while on city time.
FDLE agents said he used his own money.
Bell told Channel 9 when the allegations first surfaced that no city time or money was used for his home renovations.
Residents weighed in.
“You should be discussing city policies. Not his own personal agenda,” said resident David Lloyd.
The FDLE report will likely come up for discussion at a future city commission meeting.
Neither Bell nor Richardson would comment on FDLE’s findings.
WFTV
