JEA leader scrutinized for possible conflict of interest
John Baker just completed his expression as JEA Chairman of the Board, but there are inquiries if his business enterprise interests are overlapping with his civic pursuits.
Baker, who nonetheless sits on the board, agreed to sit down with Action Information Jax Ben Becker and had been joined by a JEA spokesperson and JEA’s Chief Lawful Counsel from Jacksonville’s Office environment of Typical Counsel.
In an Motion News Jax investigation, Becker uncovered in the JEA 2021 year finish audit, the utility acknowledged “purchases (of) limestone” from a corporation identified as “Vulcan Building Materials” as perfectly as “small quantities of granite and stone for mend of JEA entry roadways.” The audit goes on to say “the biggest personal shareholder of Vulcan is the Baker family, of which John D. Baker II, JEA Board Chairman, is a member.”
The overall amount of money paid to Vulcan in fiscal many years 2020 and 2021 with Baker as JEA chair, about $11.3 million — but Baker promises he did not know of the offer reached involving Vulcan and JEA before he joined the board.
“You weren’t mindful the place your funds is?” Becker pressed Baker. “It’s just there?”
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“Correct,” responded Baker.
The JEA spokesperson looking at the job interview off-digicam spoke up.
“He (Baker) answered that he wasn’t informed,” the spokesperson claimed.
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But Becker had extra inquiries, including if Baker was knowledgeable of Jacksonville’s Charter pursuant to JEA and if there is a conflict of fascination “ … no member, officer or staff of JEA shall either instantly or indirectly be a get together to, or be in any manner intrigued in, any agreement or agreement with JEA for any matter, trigger or point whatsoever in which these types of member shall have a monetary interest … ”
“I’ve never ever listened to of that provision right until now,” Baker stated. “The reality JEA buys rock from Vulcan does not put any cash in my pants.”
“Zero?” Becker asked.
“Zero,” Baker shot back.
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It’s possible not Baker’s trousers, but what about the pockets of FRP Holdings, where Baker is the CEO and Govt Chairman — it’s a actual estate enterprise concerned in mining.
Becker uncovered that Vulcan paid out FRP nearly around $9 million in royalties on a range of projects in 2020 and 2021.
“Is that a conflict?” Becker pressed Baker once more and immediately after a prolonged pause responded, “I’ll leave that to the legal professionals.”
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Shortly later, JEA’s spokesperson interrupted the job interview all over again and Becker persisted, “I’m just asking inquiries. Is it a conflict in your mind?”
“It’s not a conflict in my thoughts,” Baker reported.
Becker received a copy of Baker’s COJ ethics place of work conflict of interest type that he was required to fill out prior to signing up for JEA.
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Problem 2 enterprise possession states: “do you, your partner, or your baby individual a business that is undertaking business enterprise with, or receiving cash from, the metropolis of Jacksonville (including impartial authorities)?” which contains JEA. Baker responded on the variety “No”
“It evidently appears to be like a prospective conflict of desire,” said George Candler, who served on Jacksonville’s ethics commission for 7 yrs and is now the Director of the Master’s software in community administration at UNF.
“The language of the Constitution does not go away a lot room for exceptions,” Candler reported.
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A few days immediately after the job interview, Becker termed JEA’s Main Authorized Counsel Regina Ross and asked if Baker’s organization passions had been reviewed by OGC and if a lawful view was issued connected to the Charter or the ethics disclosure. Becker was informed in a statement “There’s been no prepared thoughts on these issues and it’s unclear if there will be to day.”
“Do you feel that was the suitable solution primarily based on this details I introduced to you nowadays?” Becker asked Baker about his ethics conflict of curiosity kind where he answered no. “I would have unquestionably answered it in another way if I would have recognised about it,” Baker explained.
Baker has not been accused of any wrongdoing by any governmental company. Baker was among 7 current JEA board appointees by Mayor Lenny Curry.
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