JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry pushed back Monday against a news conference that saw Mayor Donna Deegan and JEA officials address allegations about the utility’s culture and leadership just days earlier.
Curry told News4JAX he believes Deegan was referring to him and the firm where he is a partner, Ballard Partners, during a Friday news conference where the current mayor responded to City Council President Kevin Carrico’s claims that racism, a toxic work culture, and other leadership problems at JEA are tied to CEO Vickie Cavey.
Curry pointed to a moment during the news conference when Deegan described the allegations as a pressure campaign, and Cavey appeared to dispute that characterization.
“But in a live press conference, she was basically called a liar by the CEO of JEA. And she doubled down on it when Donna made these accusations,” Curry said. “Vicki, the CEO of the utility, said, with all due respect, Mayor, that never happened. And then she made some weird comment about the devil. Donna did. And Vickie said that didn’t happen, essentially saying, Mayor, that’s not true.”
During that news conference, Deegan defended Cavey and called the allegations a smear campaign, a politically motivated power grab and a pressure campaign. Deegan also said the allegations “magically appeared” from the same people she described as part of a toxic political culture.
“I would not call it a pressure campaign. I would say maybe we should, but a determination was already given,” the mayor said.
Curry also pushed back on public reporting that tied him or his firm to efforts around JEA’s leadership.
“Allegations that I was somehow involved with what’s happening at JEA, the future of this current CEO. I was completely unaware of it.”
Curry also commented on a separate controversy involving Carrico, who publicly discussed nominating his boss at the Boys and Girls Club to a JEA board seat.
That nominee later withdrew from consideration.
“I learned about that text message literally through media reports,” the former mayor said. “[Carrico] and I haven’t discussed it. Certainly, the text message is not a good look. But you do appoint people to boards that you know and that you think are competent and capable.”
Curry said he is confident JEA will continue to operate amid the controversy but that he will not attend the JEA board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, when much of the discussion is expected to continue.