JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Embattled Republican Jacksonville mayoral candidate Councilmember LeAnna Cumber is calling the newly formed special committee set to investigate her husband’s ties to a bidder during the attempted JEA sale a ‘weaponization of government’.
RELATED: Jacksonville City Council reopens special investigation committee on Cumber ties to failed JEA sale
Cumber appeared before the media for the first time in about 10 days in a press conference Monday, where she doubled down on her assertion the investigation is purely about politics.
Cumber said the city council is being weaponized by allies of her best-funded Republican challenger Daniel Davis.
“The targeted attacks on me are blatant weaponization of city hall against the only candidate who will stop this pay-to-play in this city that has only promoted and worked for a powerful few,” said Cumber.
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The investigation centers around emails obtained by Action News Jax late last month that showed Councilmember Cumber’s husband was involved with JEA Public Power Partners, a bidder pitching a concession agreement during the failed sale of JEA.
On a conflict-of-interest disclosure, Councilmember Cumber made no mention of her husband’s involvement - A decision she continues to argue complies with all ethical and legal requirements.
“The formation of this committee is clearly a political attack unprecedented in the history of our consolidated government,” said Cumber.
In the press conference, Cumber also rehashed her accusation against Davis, that under his leadership the JAX Chamber took more than $300,000 from JEA.
She argues the money has never been accounted for.
Davis dismissed that allegation when we asked him about it Friday.
“I’m not even going to respond to those accusations because they’re below me,” said Davis.
Cumber said she likely wouldn’t attend the special committee’s first meeting set for Wednesday.
“I wish Councilwoman Cumber had told the truth back in 2019. I can’t understand why she just won’t come clean with the people of Jacksonville,” said committee Chair Councilmember Rory Diamond (R-District 13).
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While Diamond has suggested the committee’s work could be short-lived if Cumber complies, Cumber implied that’s not likely the direction she’ll go.
“He has weaponized government. Period. And either you agree with that and think that’s okay or you don’t,” said Cumber.
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