A Jacksonville City Council investigative committee is expanding its review of allegations of a toxic work environment and racism at JEA, the city-owned utility.

JEA received a subpoena on Friday from State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office seeking a broad swath of communication records about the agency’s CEO, Vickie Cavey, as well as discussions involving City Council President Kevin Carrico and a high-powered lobbying firm that employs former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry.

Along with workplace culture concerns, the Jacksonville City Council’s Special Investigatory Committee is looking into whether JEA failed to collect millions in “capacity” fees that help pay for water and sewer infrastructure over several years.

Former JEA chief of staff Kurt Wilson testified before Jacksonville City Council’s investigative committee, describing a fearful workplace culture. Members discussed employee surveys, disputed capacity fees and witness access, as critics warned of overreach.

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico has been issued a subpoena about one week after text messages revealed that he was going to nominate someone for a position on JEA’s board because he owed them a “big favor.”

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico is calling for an independent, outside review of allegations involving leadership and workplace culture at JEA, while also responding directly to questions about the “big favor” wording in text messages tied to a JEA board appointment.

Tensions ran high at the JEA Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday as the former chief of staff heavily criticized the CEO’s leadership and doubled down on allegations that she has created a toxic workplace culture.

During a board meeting Tuesday amid rising tensions over leadership, JEA Vice Chair Ricardo “Rick” Morales III admitted that he privately asked CEO Vickie Cavey to resign after he said employees voiced concerns to him about a “toxic” workplace culture at the city-owned utility.