Report: Shirk facing ethics questions over lobbying

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Public defender Matt Shirk is under fire again.

The Florida Times Union is reporting that Shirk is facing conflict of interest questions over his lobbying on behalf of a for-profit drug and alcohol program for which his wife was a representative.

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According to the newspaper, a lawyer has filed an ethics complaint against Shirk.

Attorney Thomas Duffy is quoted as saying Shirk used his office's prestige to benefit his wife financially.

Shirk denies doing anything wrong. He said his wife was not paid for her work and is no longer involved with the drug and alcohol program.

A grand jury recommended last year that Shirk should leave office because of misconduct. But Shirk chose to finish his term, which runs through 2016.

Allegations of inappropriate relationships with female staffers and drinking in the office in 2013 led Gov. Rick Scott to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Shirk's office. A grand jury heard testimony and reviewed evidence between May and November and then met in December 2014 to prepare its report.

The grand jury did not charge Shirk with a crime, but called his behavior "unacceptable" and urged him to resign.