JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – City Council President Kevin Carrico has confirmed to News4JAX that the city’s Inspector General is looking into “serious allegations” against JEA, adding a new layer to weeks of public sparring between the utility and City Hall.
“As I have said for several weeks, there is a crisis of confidence at JEA. I am very concerned to hear that the Inspector General is now looking into serious allegations related to the utility,” Carrico said. “The people of Jacksonville deserve transparency, accountability, and clear answers, and the Council will be carefully reviewing the Inspector General’s findings.”
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Text messages that emerged in recent days put JEA and City Hall in the spotlight. The messages included an exchange in which Council President Kevin Carrico told a current board member he planned to replace him “as a big favor,” and Carrico has since been the subject of a subpoena from the state attorney’s office for communications related to the utility.
The turmoil included the withdrawal of Carrico’s original nominee, Paul Martinez, and public allegations of toxic leadership at JEA. Board member Rick Morales confirmed at a recent meeting that he had conversations with CEO Vickie Cavey about her stepping down; the board ultimately decided to back Cavey.
Carrico has since nominated Randy Wyse for the vacant board position.
News4JAX contacted both JEA and the mayor’s office; neither provided comment about the Inspector General inquiry.
City Hall sources say no official memo about the investigation has been distributed there, and City Council leaders say they will review any Inspector General findings carefully.
News4JAX will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.