AARON ZAHN

Attorneys involved in the federal case against former JEA executives Aaron Zahn and Ryan Wannemacher are asking a judge to delay the trial on conspiracy and wire fraud charges from October of this year to February 2024.

After eight days of testimony, it will now be up to a judge to weigh whether or not federal prosecutors used off-limits statements to build their case against two former JEA executives charged with conspiracy and wire fraud.

A multi-day hearing ahead of the federal trial for two former JEA executives revealed new details about events surrounding the attempted sale of the utility in 2019.

A multi-day hearing ahead of the federal trial for two former JEA executives revealed new details about events surrounding the attempted sale of the utility in 2019.

Lawyers for two former JEA executives facing federal charges in connection with the attempted sale of the utility spent over two hours at a hearing Thursday morning questioning the FBI special agent who led the investigation, about how the case was built.

Testimonies are expected to be heard on Monday from a range of current and former officials with the city of Jacksonville and JEA before two former JEA executives stand trial later this year.

A multi-day, pre-trial hearing for two former JEA executives facing federal charges is expected to include testimony from a range of current and former officials with the city of Jacksonville and JEA, later this month.

The race for Jacksonville mayor is heating up and attack ads are mentioning the attempted sale of JEA.

Attorneys for former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn and former CFO Ryan Wannemacher are asking the judge to delay their upcoming federal trial on conspiracy and wire fraud charges until late next year.

Attorneys for former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn have asked a judge to move his upcoming federal trial on conspiracy and wire fraud charges to Tampa, arguing he cannot get a fair trial in Jacksonville.

Neither Aaron Zahn or Ryan Wannamaker — two former JEA executives — were in court Monday for a federal hearing, and their attorneys who were present did not wish to speak with News4JAX.

The attempt to privatize JEA is now getting international attention. A delegation from African nations has visited Jacksonville to study ethics and transparency, and it’s using what happened with JEA as a case study.

Attorneys for former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn and former JEA CFO Ryan Wannemacher filed a motion asking the judge to extend the discovery deadline 60 days from August 15 to October 14.

A court hearing for two former JEA executives, who have been indicted on federal charges, wrapped up on Tuesday afternoon with a judge setting some deadlines, leading up to a trial next year.

On Monday, Aaron Zahn’s attorneys filed a motion asking for permission for him to relocate.

Lawyers for two former JEA executives facing conspiracy and wire fraud charges said they plan to push for a change of venue and asked for a trial date next year.

The trial of two former JEA executives indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud is set to be delayed, court documents show.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry told News4JAX on Thursday that he still doesn’t wish to speak directly about the federal indictments against the two former leaders of JEA.

Attorneys representing Ryan Wannemacher, the former chief financial officer of JEA, have filed a motion to continue, or delay, the deadlines for pretrial motions — as well as the trial date itself.

Aaron Zahn, the former CEO of the city-owned utility, will be permitted to go to the Bahamas next week on a family vacation. That has some wondering.

Aaron Zhan is not the only one facing a federal trial for the JEA scandal. Ryan Wannemacher is also facing charges, but people don't know as much about him, so we did a little digging to find out.

Former JEA Chief Executive Officer Aaron Zahn and former JEA Chief Financial Officer Ryan Wannemacher will appear before a federal judge Tuesday afternoon on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud.

Former Chief Executive Officer of JEA, Aaron Zahn, and former Chief Financial Officer, Ryan Wannemacher, were indicted by a grand jury for two counts each of conspiracy and wire fraud.

In an audit report released Friday, Jacksonville’s inspector general criticizes JEA’s former leaders for overspending.

Amid the ongoing grand jury investigation into the failed sale of JEA, the utility’s former interim chief operating officer made an appearance Thursday in federal court downtown.

An appeals court Tuesday said a former CEO of the Jacksonville municipal utility is entitled to go to arbitration in a legal battle over his firing.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Attorneys for former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn have sent a letter to city leaders disputing some of the findings of the investigative report that came out in January. Zahn was fired in late 2019 after it came to light that senior leaders of the utility could have made millions of dollars, through a controversial bonus plan. Zahn and his attorneys have long claimed he is being used as a scapegoat. A separate criminal investigation is underway by federal authorities, but there is no word when that could wrap up. The Florida Times-Union recently reported that a federal grand jury will soon hear from witnesses in the investigation.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A federal grand jury will soon hear from witnesses in the investigation of JEA’s efforts to sell the city-owned utility to a private entity, according to a report by the Florida Times-Union. Columnist Nate Monroe cites several sources that numerous grand jury subpoenas have been issued. Attorneys Office has been looking into JEA and the issues surrounding the leadership team and their involvement in the sales plan. Among the findings of a months-long investigation by a special Jacksonville City Council committee was that the effort to sell JEA “ran afoul through Aaron Zahn’s greed.”AdFederal prosecutors do not comment on current investigations. There’s no official word when the grand jury will take up the matter or how long this investigation could take.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Some current and former Jacksonville City Council members say the lengthy report released Monday on the failed JEA sale reads like a novel. “Aaron Zahn (former CEO of JEA) could not have pulled off the biggest heist in U.S. history by himself. News4Jax checked reports in 2017 regarding JEA and the possibility of a sale and talking with those involved at the time. Two people close to the investigation who raised questions then told News4Jax this report is right on the money. The report suggests Curry was pushing for the sale from the start.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The final report by a special Jacksonville City Council committee formed to investigate a botched attempt to sell the JEA in 2019 calls the plan greedy and found that it cost the city millions of dollars. The 132-page report released Monday morning was the result of 10 months of committee work, including witness testimony, and prepared by an attorney for the City Council. The report says the compensation plan “ran afoul through Aaron Zahn’s greed.” In closing, the report says “The ultimate cost to JEA and the City was millions of dollars. The truth around JEA’s strategic planning process is complex and definitively involved the Mayor, City Council, the entire Board, OGC and countless strategic advisors. He applauds the City Council investigation on JEA and says the report points to three huge problems.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It wont be until the end of December that we could find out more about what happened with JEA and the botched sales plan. It was almost a year ago when many of the problems with the proposed JEA sale surfaced and eventually led to the firing of now ex-CEO Aaron Zahn and the JEA leadership team. RELATED: JEA’s new CEO: ‘Time for us to move forward’On Monday members of the Jacksonville City Council committee looking into what happened met for its final time. It was revealed that the committee’s report should be ready by the end of the month and it will be made public on Jan. 11. Federal Investigators are also looking into the JEA matter as well.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jay Stowe officially began the job Monday as managing director and CEO of JEA. Stowe said he focuses on three things: public health, public safety and economic development. He calls JEA foundational to the community and believes restoring trust is a necessity both on the internal and external levels. He will work to appoint a new management team and work with a gradually changing JEA board. “The idea of when or whether we need a rate increase starts with managing the systems really well.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The new head of JEA says the city-owned utility is ready to move forward. Jay Stowe, who was just hired two weeks ago, talked to the JEA board virtually during its meeting Tuesday morning. Stowe did not mention former CEO Aaron Zahn, who was fired by the board in January after the botched exploration of a JEA sale. “We will work to develop a senior team," Stowe told the board. Also, the board voted to spend $2.4 million to buy land downtown in order to build a second headquarters.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax is learning more about how much money JEA is going to pay its new CEO. On Monday, an agreement was released that shows newly selected Jay Stowe will be paid $560,000 a year to run the city-owned utility. Stowe will not be entitled to any other incentive compensation and will not participate in the JEA bonus plan like other employees. Stowe was selected by the board at the end of last month. McElroy was brought in when former CEO Aaron Zahn was fired by the board in January for his role in the failed attempt to sell JEA.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville voters have spoken, and they want the City Council to have a say in who sits on the board of directors for JEA. The majority of voters approved an amendment to the city’s charter that empowers the City Council to appoint and remove four members of the city-owned utility’s board of directors. Previously, the charter held that it was up to the mayor to appoint all seven board members and the council confirmed those appointments. Duval County Referendum - JEA board member appointment “Shall the Jacksonville charter be amended ... to (1) grant to City Council the executive power to appoint and remove four members of the JEA Board and (2) amend the qualifications of board members?" The abandoned plan to find suitors for the utility is under investigation by both the City Council and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – During a Monday night special meeting, the JEA board picked Jay Stowe as the next CEO of the utility. Stowe is the chief executive officer and founder of Stowe Utility Group LLC, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was chosen over the two other finalists -- John Lewis Hairston, the chief operating officer of Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, Oregon, and Morgan K. O’Brien, the former chief executive officer and president of Peoples Gas. Stowe will take over for Paul McElroy who was called in to replace Melissa Dykes, who herself replaced embattled former CEO Aaron Zahn. Zahn was fired by a different JEA board in January following his role in the controversial failed plan to sell the city-owned utility.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – JEA is one step closer to finding its next CEO. On Tuesday, the JEA board of directors interviewed the three finalists for the utility’s open CEO position. Zahn was fired by a different JEA board in January following his role in the controversial failed plan to sell the city-owned utility. “I think we have a tough decision,” said John Baker, JEA Board Chairman. They will then turn in their rankings sometime in the next two days and the board will look to make its final decision on a CEO by Friday.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Another player in the JEA saga was questioned about what happened during the city-owned utility’s failed sales attempt. Tim Baker, a political consultant for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, was questioned last month by an attorney for the City Council investigative committee about the role he played in the botched JEA sale. Zahn said that he flew to Atlanta on a plane provided by Conventus, LLC, a company co-managed by Baker. Sam Mousa, who recently retired from that position and is listed in public records as a co-manager of Conventus LLC, was also there. The testimony is being reviewed by a City Council committee looking into JEA and the practices surrounding the potential sale.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Testimony released Wednesday reveals what Mayor Lenny Curry and his staff may have known prior to the plan to try and sell JEA. Curry’s former Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa was interviewed for that committee and he said there was no plot by the mayor to sell JEA outright. SPECIAL SECTION | Tracking the JEA sagaMousa was questioned by an attorney hired by the investigative committee looking into JEA. Mousa said Curry never said at any time that he was going to sell JEA. One JEA employee was reprimanded for leaking some confidential documents to City Council members and JEA has made changes in how those documents are stored.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The firm leading the search for JEA’s next chief executive officer has narrowed the list of candidates down to six semi-finalists. The semi-finalists include:Elaina Ball , the interim chief operating officer for El Paso Electric in El Paso, Texas, who previously served as chief operating officer for Austin Energy in Austin, Texas. John Hairston , the chief operating officer for Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, Oregon, whose previous role was the utility’s chief administrative officer. Morgan O’Brien , an industry veteran who previously worked as chief executive officer of Peoples Gas, a natural gas provider in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. These semi-finalists are vying to replace McElroy, the interim chief executive officer who took over after the ouster of former CEO Aaron Zahn.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The parent of Florida Power & Light would have paid more than $11 billion for JEA had the city-owned utilitys leadership gone through with a scuttled effort to put the utility up for sale. The bonuses executives were going to get were based on false information provided to the board, Diamond said. I dont think the JEA board knew at the time what they were voting on. Instead, the City Council, Civic Council and Unions hijacked the conversation for their own personal benefit. The disparaging and defamatory political rhetoric towards me by JEA, OGC, JEAs counsel and City Council is transparent scapegoating to everyone.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A bill that would have given Jacksonville City Council the power to approve or deny bonus or incentive programs for JEA employees has been withdrawn from consideration. The bill, which had been part of the consent agenda for Tuesday night’s council meeting, basically said any incentive plans going forward would have to be approved by both the JEA Board and the City Council. But Councilman Ron Salem told News4Jax he worked out an agreement with JEA officials instead and decided to withdraw the bill. Despite the ongoing inquiries, the JEA Board of Directors approved a new employee incentive plan in June as part of its budget request to City Council. The previous incentive plan was put on pause for 2020 amid the controversy over the PUP.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A City Council investigative committee looking into the failed bid to sell JEA revealed new information on Monday about an interview with a former member of the leadership team at the city-owned utility. According to its investigation, crucial information may have been intentionally destroyed on the personal device of the former JEA Chief Operating Officer. Some council members like Rory Diamond said that is criminal. Former JEA Chief Information Officer admits to intentionally putting the wrong password into then-Chief Operating Officer Melissa Dykes tablet destroying all documents there on. The JEA investigative committee plans to issue subpoenas Baker, Mousa, former JEA board member Alan Howard and Michael Munz, an executive at the Dalton Agency, to testify in the investigation.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In his first major move since taking charge of JEA, interim Chief Executive Officer Paul McElroy placed the majority of the utility’s leadership team on paid administrative leave last month. On Monday, JEA confirmed that nine executives were terminated without cause, according to JEA. The executives will receive 20 weeks of compensation and health benefits, JEA said. “JEA is focused on moving forward with building back the trust of the community, its customers and employees,” JEA said. “Individually or collectively, real or perceived, you have been complicit or implicitly involved with or simply a direct beneficiary of the (Invitation to Negotiate) or Performance Unit Plan,” McElroy said in part.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The ousted CEO of JEA fired back this week in response to a lawsuit filed against him by the city-owned utility. JEA filed a lawsuit in early June after Zahn filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association to overturn the JEA boards decision to fire him without termination benefits. In the lawsuit, JEA alleged Zahns contract, including a provision that allows for arbitration, was unenforceable. JEA claimed Zahns contract was against Florida law because of an illegal retroactive salary increase in the contract. Mr. Zahn is proud to be the first CEO of JEA to tell the community the unvarnished truth.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – JEA employees are once again in line for a bonus after the city-owned utility’s board of directors approved a measure Tuesday restoring an incentive plan that was put on pause for 2020. The bonus structure the old JEA board approved last came under scrutiny because of a separate Performance Unit Plan, or PUP, that would basically have been a stock purchase plan that could have financially benefited executives and others in the event that JEA was sold. The plan and the effort to sell the utility sparked controversy last fall and JEA is now under city and federal investigations. Besides Zahn, it led to the resignation of former Chief Legal Officer Lynne Rhode and the dismissal of former CFO Ryan Wannemacher. In April, the Board’s replacements voted unanimously to remove interim CEO Melissa Dykes, a longtime executive who served as chief operating officer during Zahn’s stint running JEA.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In his first major move since taking charge of JEA, interim Chief Executive Officer Paul McElroy has placed the majority of the utility’s leadership team on paid administrative leave. “Individually or collectively, real or perceived, you have been complicit or implicitly involved with or simply a direct beneficiary of the (Invitation to Negotiate) or Performance Unit Plan,” McElroy said in part. The shakeup comes as JEA faces intense scrutiny from the Department of Justice and a City Council special committee. In April, the board’s replacements voted unanimously to remove interim CEO Melissa Dykes, a longtime executive who served as chief operating officer during Zahn’s stint running JEA. As part of the same move, seven individuals will join the utility’s senior leadership team on a temporary basis:Stephen Datz, Interim Chief Information OfficerBruce Dugan, Interim Chief Communication OfficerRicky Erixton, Interim General Manager, Electric SystemsAngie Hiers, Interim Chief Human Resource OfficerAlan McElroy (no relation), Interim Chief Supply Chain OfficerHai Vu, Interim General Manager, Water/Wastewater SystemsWayne Young, Chief Environmental OfficerMcElroy announced last month that Hiers, along with two others, would be temporary additions to his leadership staff.

The lawsuit alleges Zahn committed fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breached the public trust and made false representations to the JEA board in his hiring process. “Despite being ordered not to do so, Zahn continued to work toward positing JEA for a sale,” according to the lawsuit. DOCUMENT: JEA v. Aaron Zahn | SPECIAL SECTION: I-TEAM stories on JEA scandalZahn’s lawyer, John Mullen, JEA’s legal team is trying to cover their own tails because they were full participants in JEA’s controversial policy decisions last year. He has long been critical of the PUP and spoke with News4Jax about the City Council investigative committee looking into JEA. JEA’s lawsuit demands a jury by trial.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Interim CEO and former JEA President Melissa Dykes was fired Tuesday in the first meeting of the agency’s new Board of Directors. "I think it’s made worse by the fact that the FBI has decided to dig into an investigation of JEA and that past administration. Dykes, an employee of JEA for eight years, was fired without cause meaning she will receive 20 weeks severance pay totaling $162,132. Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn was paid approximately $2,000 a day on administrative leave, according to JEA spokeswoman Gina Kyle, as city attorneys investigated whether they had evidence to fire him with cause. Baker said he will appoint the current Vice President of Energy, Caren Anders, to take over as interim JEA CEO while the board begins its search for a new permanent CEO.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A federal grand jury has issued a subpoena to JEA, seeking records related to the scuttled attempt to sell the city-owned utility. DOCUMENT: Read a copy of the federal subpoena issued to JEAThe performance unit plan, or PUP, would have acted like a stock purchase plan. Curry said he learned of the subpoena Wednesday evening from the city’s Office of General Counsel. Diamond told News4Jax on Thursday that it’s clear the federal subpoena is zeroing in on JEA’s senior leadership team. City attorneys said they found 24 causes to fire Zahn, including evidence he altered a PowerPoint from a consultant.

Committee Chairman Diamond said from the beginning of the probe earlier this year he planned to subpoena the bidders and find out who their lobbyists were. Meeting via a Zoom video conference on Tuesday, The Rules Committee unanimously approved issuing 22 subpoenas. The Rules Committee UNANIMOUSLY approved 22 subpoenas to the JEA bidders and investment banks. “Honest to God, this is embarrassing to you and JEA,” DeFoor said last month. The committee plan to look through documents to see if JEA leadership started looking into the potential privatization of the city-owned utility before it was approved by the JEA Board of Directors.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville City Council members leading an investigation into JEA’s failed bid to sell the city-owned utility kicked off the special investigating committee meeting on Monday by calling out delays in public records requests sent to JEA. Councilmembers Rory Diamond, Randy DeFoor and Brenda Priestly Jackson all expressed their frustration to JEA lawyers that their public records requests from more than a month ago have produced zero documents so far. The committee plan to look through documents to see if JEA leadership started looking into the potential privatization of the city-owned utility before it was approved by the JEA Board of Directors. The committee also heard from former JEA executive Mike Brost and current Vice President Steven McInall. The committee wants to know more.

Howard resigned from JEA’s board of directors after the July 23 meeting. As the Florida Times-Union reported, his law firm was hired a month later to provide legal counsel for JEA and was paid $75,000. I anticipate that I will be the primary resource, but I have included one associate from my team and my law partner who does government relations work. He remembered Howard expressed interest in working with JEA and that he recommended Howard clear it with General Counsel Jason Gabriel. He said Zahn’s recollection of that conversation likely was based on what Howard might have told Zahn.

Zahn let his wife help evaluate top JEA employeesPublished: February 4, 2020, 6:50 pmTranscripts of under-oath testimony of former CEO Aaron Zahn and senior JEA leaders paint a picture of what it was like for some to work for their former boss.

JEA Vice President Kerri Stewart also testified that she first heard about the idea of the PUP in Jan. of 2019, months before the JEA board voted in July to allow JEA executives to pursue possible privatization. During her testimony, Stewart was asked if she ever witnessed Zahn verbally abuse a member of JEA. Stewart said it was because Zahn saw JEA as a “bureaucratic government entity and we saw ourselves as a very well-run company." (JEA Board Chair April Green) actually explicitly wanted me not to go. Zahn was concerned about leaks to the mediaFormer JEA Chief Financial Officer Ryan Wannemacher, who was fired from JEA in December, told investigators Zahn was worried about media leaks before JEA board voted on pursuing privatization in July.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax political expert Rick Mullaney, former general counsel for Jacksonville, believes there is still much that hasn’t been revealed in the JEA investigation. Several City Council members were later arrested and convicted on fraud charges. Right now former Council Members Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown are awaiting sentencing on a fraud conviction. During the Morning Show on News4Jax on Thursday, Jacksonville City Council President Scott Wilson talked about the upcoming investigation. “I think any investigation that the City Council conducts going forward will provide more information," Wilson said.

Draft of a slide that was created by Willis Towers Watson and shared with former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn. (News4Jax)Aaron Zahn is accused of altering this slide that was presented to the JEA Board of Directors in order to push through a controversial bonus plan. We then have him asking for the PowerPoint slide. We then have Mr. Zahn sending the PowerPoint slide to his assistant and we have metadata on that email that shows that that PowerPoint came from him,” Granat said. In a letter to News4Jax on Thursday, Zahn’s lawyer pushed back against some of the 24 accusations presented Tuesday, including the altered PowerPoint slide.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Now that city attorneys are saying former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn lied, withheld information and changed documents to benefit himself and other executives, are criminal charges next? Federal investigators are looking into JEA employees, former or present. During Tuesday’s intense JEA board meeting, city attorney’s accused Zahn of withholding important information that could have changed the course of the potential sale of JEA. They alluded to the behind the scenes deals underway that would have benefited Zahn, upper management and even former a former JEA board member. But in the slide actually presented to the JEA board last summer, it’s much different.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A former JEA board chairman hired to help with privatization does not believe it was a conflict of interest to talk about an employment opportunity with JEA before voting for a plan to explore taking the utility private. He said there are no rules against former board members going to work for the agency. “The question really is whether or not we were engaged prior to the July board meeting where the board voted on the (invitation to negotiate),” Howard said. They said Zahn did not disclose those discussions or a “conflict of interest” to the utility’s board. “I voted my conscience at the July board meeting.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn will not get a big payout after the JEA Board of Directors on Tuesday voted unanimously to terminate Zahn’s contract for cause. In a presentation to the board Tuesday, counsel laid out 24 reasons why Zahn deserved to be terminated with cause. “Good to see the JEA Board terminate Aaron Zahn with cause so that he gets no more money from the people of Jacksonville. Zahn is disappointed in the outcome of today’s JEA Board meeting. This was about doing the right thing,” said JEA Board Chair April Green.

The documents show hundreds of swipes into City Hall over the last year and a half as Zahn made more than 90 visits. Civic Council calls for further investigation of ousted JEA CEO Aaron ZahnThe volume of visits is drawing criticism from City Council members who say JEA is meant to be independent of politics. News4Jax asked about the visits to City Hall, and Zahn issued a statement:City hall contains the general counsel’s office, 19 city council members and the mayors office. The number of times I visited city hall demonstrates my focus on transparency and communication with all of Jacksonville’s policy makers. Aaron Zahn, former CEO of JEACity Councilmember Matt Carlucci told News4Jax on Friday the volume of time Zahn was spending at City Hall is unprecedented.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Say what you want about Jake Godbold, but no one ever accused him of being timid. As mayor of Jacksonville, Godbold wasn’t shy about his ambitions of putting the city on the map. “He physically had slowed a little bit, but mentally he was sharp as a tack,” former Mayor John Delaney said of Godbold. But where Godbold’s plea over the Landing fell on deaf ears, his opposition to a sale of JEA found an audience that listened. “I like you and believe that you have generally done a good job as mayor,” Godbold wrote.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the city-owned utility released a statement announcing that Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer Ted Hobson is retiring after 46 years of service. Chief Financial Officer Ryan Wannemacher was fired one week later. And Sherry Hall, JEA’s vice president and chief governmental affairs officer, gave her notice around the same time. As chief compliance officer for the past eight years, Hobson has overseen the utility’s compliance and regulatory programs, audit services, physical security, emergency planning and risk management. “Ted’s impact will remain with JEA for years to come and he will be missed,” the JEA statement said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn floated the idea of hiring one of Mayor Lenny Curry’s top advisers to consult on the since-scuttled plan to sell the city-owned utility, News4Jax learned Friday. “Aaron spoke of hiring Tim Baker as a consultant," Vinyard said. “He wanted to hire Mr. Baker through one of the law firms associated with the ITN process. “I have never worked for JEA,” Baker said Friday. “Tim Baker is a private business owner and does not discuss his private business interests with Mayor Curry,” the spokesperson said.

That’s the total amount of money the city would have had to pay senior JEA officials if they were all fired after the sale of JEA. This all comes as the JEA chairman and City Ethics Director call for senior-level executives to voluntarily give up their hefty termination benefits. Letter from City Ethics Director Carla Miller to interim JEA CEO Melissa Dykes. (News4Jax)Letter from City Ethics Director Carla Miller to interim JEA CEO Melissa Dykes. RELATED: Interim JEA CEO welcomes federal investigation | Attorney: Ex-CEO Zahn ‘scapegoated’ for JEA’s woesBut City Ethics Director Carla Miller is shining a light on the more than a dozen other golden parachute contracts within JEA.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A day after the State Attorney’s Office announced the federal government will take over the investigation of issues connected to the potential privatization of JEA, interim CEO Melissa Dykes said she welcomes the scrutiny. “That allows me during this transition time to lead with the community’s best interest in mind,” she said. Otherwise, my leadership has been focused on being an independent leader,” Dykes said. "And I have to do what’s in the best interest of JEA and the community and I hope to do that with the support of all of our political stakeholders. It’s one of the reasons that our board chair and I have been meeting independently with each City Council member.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Federal investigators will take over the investigation of issues connected to the privatization of JEA, State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced Monday. “After thorough review, the State Attorney’s Office has determined that the appropriate venue to continue this investigation is the federal justice system. We have referred our investigation to our federal partners, who will take the lead moving forward and have the full support of this office," Nelson wrote. Diamond said he feels there should be a City Council-led investigation so that the public can see what’s happening every step of the way. “I think we need to have a thorough City Council-led investigation out in the sunshine.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Melissa Dykes, the interim chief executive officer for JEA, will not seek the permanent job when the utility’s board of directors looks to fill the position, a JEA spokesperson confirmed Monday. Dykes, JEA’s chief operating officer and former chief financial officer, was selected to lead the city-owned utility on a temporary basis when the board removed former CEO Aaron Zahn last month. Dykes made the short list of candidates vying for the top job at JEA before it was ultimately awarded to Zahn in November 2018, despite his lack of experience compared to more qualified candidates. Dykes says she plans to continue in her interim role until a new CEO is selected by the board. It’s unclear when the board will begin its search for his permanent replacement.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The chair of JEA’s board of directors would welcome an investigation by State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office if that’s what it takes to get to the bottom of a doomed plan to explore a sale of the city-owned utility. “If the state attorney decides that she wants to pursue an investigation, we support that,” Board Chair April Green told a News4Jax reporter outside City Hall. “Our community deserves to know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth when it comes (to JEA’s) entire ITN process,” said OurJax director Mike Hightower, a former JEA executive. JEA’s board was set to meet Tuesday to discuss if he should be fired with or without cause – the difference between letting him walk away with nearly $500,000 or nothing at all – but that meeting was postponed. “I’m a member of this community who has done nothing but try to contribute to the community that raised my children,” she said.

And a plan is in the works for City Council to get more control of JEA in the future. The JEA Board of Directors had called an emergency meeting for Tuesday to determine Zahn’s fate. I have not worked with Melissa on political matters for over 3 years and have no engagement with her should she run for re-election. Tim Baker, political consultantAlso Monday, City Council member Garrett Dennis said he wants to make changes to how the JEA Board of Directors is appointed. City Council has just as much of a vested interest in JEA as the executive branch does,” Dennis said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A special JEA Board of Directors meeting to talk about how much -- if any -- money should be paid to ousted JEA CEO Aaron Zahn has been postponed. JEA’s board had called a special meeting for Tuesday afternoon to discuss Zahn’s severance. The board is waiting on information from an investigation by the General Counsel’s Office looking into Zahn’s contract. At the Dec. 17 meeting where the board ousted Zahn, board chair April Green said she wanted Zahn to be fired with cause. News4Jax learned that State Attorney Melissa Nelson will not call a state grand jury to investigate the JEA sale and controversial bonus plan at this time.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville City Council member said Friday that a state grand jury won’t be looking into the mess at JEA, but the State Attorney’s Office is expected to issue a report on the problems at the city-owned utility. Councilman Matt Carlucci on Friday sat down with State Attorney Melissa Nelson for an hour and half to talk about where the investigation could go. Although it is possible a grand jury could investigate JEA down the road and the State Attorney has the ability to file criminal charges if any wrongdoing is found. That’s why Carlucci said he wanted a grand jury or some other investigation into the matter. “They need to fire Zahn with cause,” Zahn told Justice.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As of Monday, Jacksonville City attorneys and the JEA Board of Directors had not yet reached an agreement on what former CEO Aaron Zahn will walk away with as a settlement from his contract with the city-owned utility. City Council President Scott Wilson is looking to impanel a special City Council committee to investigate exactly what happened and what went wrong with JEA while it explored a possible sale. City Councilmember Rory Diamond, a former federal prosecutor, said he would be interested in heading up that special committee. As for the committee, Diamond said they need to know for sure what happened. But, he said, if the City Council were to investigate it would be out in the public.

Despite calls for a grand jury investigation of JEA and its just-removed CEO Aaron Zahn and State Attorney Melissa Nelson saying her office was looking into it, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said no one has asked his office about it. “We have not been contacted," Mayor Lenny Curry said Thursday. "Certainly, if they wanted us and asked to talk to us, we would comply and be helpful.”Asked if he was worried an investigation into JEA could shift focus onto him, Curry said no, adding that the JEA is an independent agency. The mayor said he never picked up a phone and asked board members to go one way or another. That now-canceled plan could have netted hundreds of millions of dollars for top executives of JEA if the utility was sold.

The move came just moments after a City Council meeting ended with JEA’s Chief Executive on the hot-seat. “It’s definitely not illegal laws we followed all laws and ethics code,” JEA CEO Aaron Zahn told News4Jax following the meeting. Just recently people became aware that a million dollars in purchases of those “units” would pay 300-times that amount if JEA was sold. And if there’s a breach of trust you shouldn’t be running JEA,” said councilmember Rory Diamond. Mullaney said the perceived violation of public trust is an appropriate topic for a grand jury to investigate.

JEA board member will call for the termination of JEA CEO Aaron Zahn on Tuesday. If you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. JEA sale negotiations have been put on hold as the state reviews if any potential conflict of interest issues could arise as the city negotiates the sale of the city-owned utility. The citys ethics director Carla Miller reviewed the contract benefits for the senior leadership staff of JEA on Oct. 28, records show. The local office couldnt or wouldnt answer the question, so JEA asked for it to be answered by the State Ethics Office. JEA on Friday also announced plans to scrap a retention bonus for employees who stay during the transition because it could interfere with a potential sale. It was not clear how long the State Ethics Commissions inquiry will take.

From the half-cent sales tax proposal to all things JEA, Mayor Curry, JEA CEO Aaron Zahn, and City Councilman Dr. Ron Salem each sit one-on-one with Kent JusticeCopyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

Regarding the recent "Invitation to Bid" process initiated by JEA that requires a minimum bid of $3 billion, UNF PORL asked 665 registered voters what minimum price they would accept in order to support selling JEA. A majority, 51%, did not know what minimum price they would be willing to sell JEA for. More than one in five people surveyed volunteered that they would not be willing to sell JEA at any price. Ultimately, the sale of JEA must be put before the voters of Jacksonville prior to the sale being finalized. What the public thinks of Jaguars' QBs, owner, coachThe same survey asked voters about the Jacksonville Jaguars.

JEA CEO Aaron Zahn said the future of JEA put plans to build a new headquarters downtown near the courthouse on hold. Zahn told the board and the developer at the meeting that the hold is no longer necessary and they are ready to move ahead. JEA has been in a legal battle over its contract to purchase nuclear power from the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia. That agreement requires JEA to pay a portion of the construction cost and to buy 20% of the power from the nuclear power plant once it goes online. Zahn told the board he will come back next month with an update on the project and the cost.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The potential sale of JEA is still raising concerns among customers and city council members. JEA and the city council have been told by lawyers to keep quiet about the possible sale while negotiations are underway. On Monday, companies are expected to submit bids for the possible sale of Jacksonvilles public utility. JEA staff isnt talking and city council has been advised to keep mum. Rest assured, if and when a recapitalization event is presented to the Jacksonville City Council, we will ensure public participation, he said.

On Tuesday night, the bill regarding city retirement and pensions amended to include JEA employees passed 16-3. "Look, we have 1,600 union-represented employees, both on the water side and on the energy side," JEA CEO Aaron Zahn said. The City Council is on the hook to pay the pensions of JEA employees, but Zahn said the utility would contribute to that effort, paying employees a lump sum to help cover their benefits. The latter would mean JEA would operate its utility services through franchise agreements with the city. The JEA Board of Trustees also discussed finding a way to give City Council a larger seat at the table while also complying with the cone of silence during the procurement process.

From the half-cent sales tax proposal to all things JEA, Mayor Curry, JEA CEO Aaron Zahn, and City Councilman Dr. Ron Salem each sit one-on-one with Kent Justice

From the half-cent sales tax proposal to all things JEA, Mayor Curry, JEA CEO Aaron Zahn, and City Councilman Dr. Ron Salem each sit one-on-one with Kent JusticeCopyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

Zahn said the board wants to explore each of the options of what the future could look like. And if JEA does undergo major changes or is sold, the public will have to vote on it before that happens. But recent changes by the City Council will now allow for a public vote for approval if more than 10% of the utility is sold. Zahn told News4Jax he agrees that voters should have a say in what JEA looks like in the future. At the end of the day, I think community officials need to follow how voters vote.

Many were surprised to hear the JEA's board vote to investigate privatizing. Following that board meeting, reporters unsuccessfuly tried to speak with CEO Aaron Zahn. Monday, Zahn spoke with Channel 4... Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Nearly a week since the JEA board of directors voted to look into privatizing or possibly selling the utility, it appears there could be other utility companies looking at JEA. Now it looks like there are some suitors standing by to take JEA up on the offer. The Florida Times-Union reported over the weekend that during a quarterly conference call, FPL executives brought up the question of acquiring JEA. The fact that FPL is talking about JEA shows that other utility companies are watching closely what happens with JEA and its potential of going on the market. News4Jax speak with JEA CEO Aaron Zahn on Monday about the decision.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Two days after the JEA Board of Directors voted to explore the idea of privatization or the possibility of a sale of the city-owned utility, JEA hired high-powered consultants to help find potential suitors. After the JEA Board of Directors moved forward Tuesday with plans to explore privatization, News4Jax received numerous emails and website comments about the role voters will have if JEA privatizes or sells. So while it is not legally required, I do think there is a political commitment that youre going to see a voter referendum. But currently, there is no legal requirement to have a voter referendum to sell JEA." JEA board members emphasized the vote Tuesday was not one to sell the utility.

The private meeting was held in a public facility, the Jacksonville Public Library's Main Library downtown, but the local media was not allowed in -- not even into a lobby area outside the conference center. The area off of Main Street outside the meeting rooms and a library entrance used to be public. This is not funded by taxpayers' dollars, said Chris Boivin of the Jacksonville Public Library. News4Jax waited outside the library until the JEA meeting ended. "It was a private meeting with JEA employees," said JEA spokeswoman Gina Kyle, who was at that meeting.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After the board of directors of the JEA discussed options to deal with falling revenues due to lower electric consumption, it voted unanimously Tuesday morning to investigate privatizing the city-owned utility. "There was never a vote by the board today to sell JEA," board member Alan Howard said. UNCUT: JEA CEO avoids questions about privatizationThe board on Tuesday approved "Scenario 3 - The non-traditional utility response." This includes the board at JEA and the senior leadership they empower. A Laborers' International Union of North America Local 630 representative, who represents many JEA employees, was glad the board looked at options other than layoffs, but that he still has concerns.

Last month, CEO Aaron Zahn brought up the prospect of raising rates 26%, laying off over 500 employees and canceling plans to move the JEA headquarters into a new building. An item on the agenda of the Tuesday morning board meeting is privatization. PRESENTATION: Scenarios shown at JEA's June board meetingThe board meeting began at 9 a.m. The union representing JEA's union has representatives watching closely and News4Jax is there to report on any actions the board may take. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

The board charged staff with coming up with strategic alternatives that could include asking that the city-owned utility's charter being changed to allow it to expand services it offers to become more competitive. An item on the agenda of the Tuesday morning board meeting is privatization. PRESENTATION: Scenarios shown at JEA's June board meetingThe board meeting is scheduled began at 9 a.m. The union representing the JEA's union will have representatives watching closely and News4Jax is there to report on any actions the board may take. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.