JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Joe Peppers, the former CEO of the city’s Kids Hope Alliance, broke his silence Tuesday on WJCT radio. Appearing on First Coast Connect, Peppers called Mayor Lenny Curry’s administration “toxic” and accused the mayor and his staff of seeking out “enablers” to execute what Peppers alleged is a corrupt and flawed agenda. And it was a toxic, toxic culture.”Peppers resigned in May of 2020 from his leadership of CEO of KHA, nine months after he was placed on administrative leave during an investigation of workplace misconduct y the city’s Inspector General’s Office. Peppers said he believes the federal grand jury report into the failed attempt to privatize JEA will bolster his claims. So it was it was absolutely a talk, a conversation that was that was circulating amongst the administration.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A city investigation into Joe Peppers, the former head of the Kids Hope Alliance, uncovered he was having an intimate relationship with a senior leadership team member that went sour while they both worked at the city-funded office. The letter outlined concerns involving KHA operations, senior leadership, mismanagement within the organization and allegations of inappropriate relationships involving Peppers. Through interviews, investigators found that Peppers had a consensual sexual relationship with an unnamed senior leadership team member who directly reported to him from Aug. 2018 until Feb. 2019. The senior leadership team member said Peppers “crossed the line” when he mentioned her child, according to the investigation. The text message came a few months after the senior leadership team member told Peppers she planned to resign in August of 2019.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The head of Jacksonville’s Sports and Entertainment division is off the job due to alleged misconduct, city officials confirmed to News4Jax on Thursday. Ryan Ali, who held that position in special events for more than a year, was placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday while the Office of Inspector General investigates the allegation. News4Jax obtained 10 resignation letters from employees working in the special events department. The mayor’s office said Thursday those events will take place as planned and it has no concerns. Right now the mayor’s office is not commenting further and there is no word on a replacement.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the second time in three years, Mike Weinstein has been selected to run the organization in charge of city youth programs. This time, Weinstein will lead Kids Hope Alliance while Chief Executive Officer Joe Peppers remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of a city investigation. Weinstein, who led the group temporarily after its formation, begins work as acting CEO on March 2. He will be the third person to lead Kids Hope Alliance in roughly seven months. Horner was tapped to run the group with Peppers out of the picture.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry weighed in Thursday on recent upheaval at the Kids Hope Alliance. Top-level executives have left Kids Hope Alliance recently. Just last week, the mayor's office suspended CEO Joe Peppers, revealing Peppers is under investigation by the inspector general. "I expect Kids Hope Alliance, the organization is run by, they have a board and their own CEO now. The day before News4Jax learned Peppers was suspended, an email from Peppers was released.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The fallout from a city investigation into the man in charge of Jacksonville's children's programs grew Wednesday as Kids Hope Alliance board members aired concerns about being left in the dark. At Wednesday's meeting, board members were asked to approve Peppers' suspension. Afterward, the board voted to recognize the investigation and suspension as an informational item on its agenda. Hodge, who was a member of the Jacksonville Children's Commission, the group Mayor Curry replaced when the city launched the Kids Hope Alliance, has been critical of Curry and backed his opponent in the last election. Brian Hughes, chief of staff to Curry, said he's not surprised by Hodges' comments, but said he's glad to see the Kids Hope Alliance is continuing its work without its CEO.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - City Councilman Garrett Dennis on Monday asked the U.S. Attorney to investigate allegations that staffers in Mayor Lenny Curry's office pressured city department running children's programs to give preferential treatment to groups seeking grants. "It is believed that these are the organizations which were hand-picked by the mayor's office to receive grant money to quiet criticism of Mayor Curry." One exchange on Oct. 16, 2018, seems to show the mayor's office wanted a grant for one church group. Hughes: "They should"Another exchange seems to show Peppers suggesting to Hughes that they move grant funds in response to a critical news report. The mayor's office released this statement Monday about Dennis' request for a federal investigation:As usual, this Councilmember is putting his quest for headlines before the facts.

Joe Peppers, the CEO of Jacksonvilles Kids Hope Alliance, was placed on paid leave Wednesday while the city's inspector general investigates. Two other Kids Hope Alliance staff members resigned recently, so there seems to be turmoil with the project, which run by the city. Kids Hope Alliance was formed two years ago to oversee "programs that promote child and youth development." In his budget address last month, Curry praised the work of the Kids Hope Alliance as part of the city's long-term battle against violence. Staff at the Kids Hope Alliance said Friday there does not appear to be a problem in how the microgrants are being used.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The head of the city agency that oversees childrens programs in Jacksonville is responding to a published report, stating that he said he was pressured by Mayor Lenny Curry's staff to steer grant money to preferred groups. The Florida Times union reported that Joe Peppers, the CEO of the Kids Hope Alliance, was told by Currys executive staff to give special consideration to particular groups. News4Jax has requested an interview with Peppers to clarify his earlier email and if the situation has improved. A statement from Brian Hughes at the Mayor's office reads:At no time was Joe Peppers pressured to do anything unethical and any implication or inference of 'undue influence' or 'preferential treatment' in the procurement process is not factual." Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.