Commissioners: Wait and see
FBI isn't releasing any more details on corruption investigation of Tom Manuel
By RICHARD PRIOR and PETER GUINTA
richard.prior@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 06/14/08
After the announcement Friday of a Federal Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the activities of St. Johns County Commission Chairman Tom Manuel, the remaining four commissioners were left scratching their heads along with everyone else.
Federal agents are not releasing details of their investigation and -- although they said they would do so -- have not yet appeared at the County Administration Complex to question individuals or examine county records.
Manuel has denied all corruption allegations, calling them politically motivated.
District 1 Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson said the investigation involving Manuel is "sad for our county, and I'm anxious for it to be over soon, over for him and over for our county."
However, she cautioned against jumping to conclusions.
"We don't have all the information," she said. "He is innocent till proven guilty."
If Manuel resigns, is removed by the governor or leaves the commission for any other reason, Stevenson as vice chair would automatically become chairwoman.
She said the longer the federal investigation and controversy continue, the harder it will be for the remaining commissioners to do their job.
"I would like to emphasize that (the commissioners) are going to continue to do the work of the people of St. Johns County," Stevenson said. "We're responsible to them. We can't get terribly distracted with this."
The other three commissioners had not much to add.
All refused to speculate on whether Manuel should step down as chairman, saying it was too early.
Manuel did not return calls to his cell phone.
District 5 Commissioner Jim Bryant, who announced this week that he would not run again for his commission seat, said Friday that he wasn't aware of any details in the Manuel case.
"I'll wait and see what happens with everybody else," he said.
District 3 Commissioner Ben Rich said, "Like (everyone), I'm waiting to see what's next, if anything."
District 2 Commissioner Ron Sanchez said all he knows about this is what he read in The Record.
"I can't assume anything one way or the other," Sanchez said. "It's really premature."
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