Beaches Leader Editor: Manuel Was Interviewed By FBI

hairman Manuel questioned by FBI
St. Johns County Commission chair was detained in Jacksonville Beach

by KATHY HARTMAN
Ponte Vedra Leader Editor
http://www.beachesleader.com/articles/2008/06/15/ponte_vedra_leader/news/doc48528c8ad7efc387745058.txt

Thomas G. Manuel, chairman of the St. Johns County Commission, has been questioned by the FBI in an ongoing investigation, an FBI special agent confirmed Thursday.

Manuel, 63, was outside Giovanni's Restaurant on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach June 5 and was detained, said Special Agent Jeff Westcott, spokesman for the Jacksonville FBI field office.

Westcott would not say what matter was being investigated nor how long the investigation has gone on.

He said Manuel was detained, questioned by FBI agents and released.

Reached by telephone Thursday and asked about the investigation, Manuel said, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

He said he had not been questioned by the FBI or any other police agency in the past week and that if the FBI gave such information, they would be lying.

Manuel said he was not at Giovanni's restaurant June 5 but was "probably at home with my family."

Manuel repeatedly denied being questioned by the FBI adding, "And I will sue you if you run any article."

Jacksonville Beach police, who spoke with the owner of Giovanni’s last week, said Manuel is a frequent customer of the upscale restaurant.

Before the commissioner went outside Giovanni's, he was dining with another person in a private dining room at the restaurant, according to Jacksonville Beach Detective Sgt. Mark Evans.

Manuel was elected to the District 4 Ponte Vedra Beach seat on the County Commission in 2006, defeating fellow Republican and incumbent Bruce Maguire after a race in which the two exchanged accusations and innuendoes.

Manuel lists his address on the St. Johns County web site as 129 Ocean [sic] Edge Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, although the property on Ocean’s Edge is owned by two persons in Palm Coast, according to St. Johns County property records.

Manuel said Thursday that he lives there with his wife, Terry.

Property records also list Manuel as an owner, with Terry L. Manuel, of a home in Northwest St. Johns County.

First Manuel confirmed he owned the Julington Creek house, then said the house is owned by his wife alone through a quit claim deed.

Under 2006 law, county commissioners were required to live in the district to which they are elected upon taking office.

Manuel was sworn in as St. Johns County commissioner Nov. 21, 2006, along with the District 2 commissioner, Ron Sanchez. The web site lists him as retired

(Editor's note: Kathleen Bailey, The Beaches Leader editor, and Johnny Woodhouse, associate editor, contributed to this report.)

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