Ethics complaint filed against Harvey Ward
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
An ethics complaint against Gainesville City Commissioner Harvey Ward was filed on January 27 with the Florida Commission on Ethics, and the same affidavit was hand-delivered to State Attorney Bill Cervone’s office today. The complaint alleges that Ward posted a campaign-related video on his personal and City Commission Facebook pages. During the video, Ward says he is at City Hall, and the video concludes with a campaign disclaimer.
The complaint asserts that the video was filmed in Ward’s Commission office at City Hall. Since the video solicits campaign support and the Facebook posts contain a link to make donations to Ward’s campaign, the complaint alleges that this is a criminal violation of §106.15 (4), Florida Statutes. That statute makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to directly or indirectly solicit political contributions in a building owned by a governmental entity.
The complaint goes on to allege that Ward may have also violated §106.15 (3) (using the services of a government employee during working hours to further a candidacy) and §112.313 (6) (misuse of public position) in filming the campaign video at City Hall.
The video is still up and can be viewed here.
Ward is running for re-election to his City Commission District 2 seat. His opponent is David Walle. The election will be held on March 17.
Has to be either ignorant or another elected elitist who thinks he’s entitled to use public asset for his own use. Should be removed immediately from office and ballot before he commits a major crime.