JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- After hearing three hours of evidence, the Duval County grand jury decided to investigate whether members of the Jacksonville City Council violated Florida's Sunshine Law in the way they called, held and documented public meetings.

Grand Jury Approves Probe

"There were allegations of continual violations of government Sunshine Law," State Attorney Harry Shorstein said in announcing the grand jury's decision.

Shorstein said he will present additional evidence and ask some council members and staff to testify over the next few weeks.

"I don't think anybody is surprised," Jacksonville General Counsel Rick Mullaney said. "And the city is going to fully cooperate in every way we can with the grand jury as they go forward."

The area's chief prosecutor brought the possible Sunshine Law violations before the grand jury to learn if the actions were the result of lax application of the rules or if there were deliberate attempts to circumvent public access to actions of elected officials.

"It is inappropriate to respond at this time," said Michael Corrigan, who was council president at the time. "We will, of course, cooperate with the state attorney."

If violations of the law are found, current or former council members could be fined or possibly serve jail time.

Shorstein said whether or not the grand jury finds any laws broken, the council's actions have damaged the public trust in their city officials.

Shorstein went before council last month claiming that they were routinely violating state law by not meeting in publicly available places, not announcing meetings to the public and not keeping proper records of meetings.

"It was reported that you, Mr. President, said that the general counsel advised you the council's actions 'could be suspect,'" Shorstein told the council. "That appears to be a monumental understatement."