City Council committee subpoenas JEA CEO, top aide, and former counsel amid ongoing workplace culture investigation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville City Council’s Special Investigative Committee voted Tuesday to issue subpoenas for JEA CEO Vickie Cavey, Chief Administrative Officer Jody Brooks and former JEA legal counsel Regina Ross as part of its ongoing investigation into the city-owned utility.

Council President Kevin Carrico asked the committee to investigate JEA. Carrico is also under investigation by the State Attorney’s Office over allegations he tried to have his current boss appointed to JEA’s board.

Committee members said they want more information about uncollected capacity fees and allegations of a toxic work environment, including claims of racism in the workplace.

RELATED | JEA CEO denies ‘toxic’ culture, ‘racism’ claims; Mayor Deegan calls it a smear campaign by those out to control utility

Council member Ron Salem said the committee has struggled to secure testimony dates for Cavey and Brooks. The committee voted to route the subpoenas through the city’s Finance Office, including a subpoena seeking Brooks’ appearance on June 8.

Committee member Rory Diamond said he wanted to question Cavey about whether the mayor’s office influenced, or was asked to influence, a contract decision and to address concerns tied to JEA’s combined-cycle power plant plan, including potential conflicts of interest and permitting risks. He also said employees deserved to hear the CEO address workplace culture allegations.

Ross attended the meeting but did not comment, citing attorney-client privilege. Ross now works for the city’s Office of General Counsel.

In a statement, JEA said it “has and continues to cooperate with the Special Investigatory Committee” and requested “understanding as we request a change of date.”

JEA also provided an email from Cavey that Salem did not read aloud at the meeting. In it, Cavey said she will cancel business travel and is available June 22, 23, 24 or 26.

And in Jody Brooks email, she explains JEA received a criminal subpoena from the Attorney General recently, and she’s been working on the upcoming regulatory approval of the power plant listing her her availability on June 8th.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled in two weeks.