Duval GOP pushes to investigate JEA scandal, as mayoral candidates take shots over alleged ties

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Duval Republican Party is calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to petition the Florida Supreme Court to commence a statewide grandy jury to investigate the JEA scandal.

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The resolution calls for the proposed statewide grand jury to investigate violations of Florida law and report on actions of public officials, private individuals and business entities who misled Duval citizens on the proposed sale of JEA.

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“We need to know what happened,” said Robin Lumb.

Lumb, who serves Duval County Republican Executive Committee, helped draft the resolution, which was unanimously approved by the local party Monday night.

He said he believes the federal grandy jury investigating the scandal, which led to the indictment of former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn, has run its course.

Zahn and another former JEA executive face federal conspiracy and wire fraud charges in connection with attempts to privatize the public utility.

INVESTIGATES: Councilmember Dennis offered job to resign, remove opposition to botched JEA sale

Lumb said unlike federal grand juries, which either decide to issue an indictment or not, a state grand jury would publish a report detailing not just criminal conduct, but a full account of what occurred.

“There are people that were at the center of this, who were not necessarily working employees of city government, but who’s conduct is to this day shrouded in mystery,” said Lumb.

UNF political science professor Dr. Michael Binder said the resolution isn’t binding, but it does signal where local Republican voters stand.

“And says, hey. Look, this JEA matter is a mess. We’d like the state to look into it even further and I don’t know anybody that disagrees with that outside Aaron Zahn,” said Binder.

The resolution comes in the middle of a mayoral race where candidates have been taking shots at one another over alleged ties to the proposed sale of JEA.

Republican mayoral candidates LeAnna Cumber and Daniel Davis have been the most aggressive on the airwaves, with Cumber’s PAC putting out an ad hitting Davis over the JEA scandal last week.

Watch: Testimony on failed JEA sale

“Davis took over $300,000 from JEA to promote privatization,” said the narrator in the ad.

Cumber said the push for a statewide grand jury creates an opportunity for the public to learn more about Davis’ involvement in the push for privatization as head of the Jax Chamber.

“He’s hanging around with Aaron Zahn and with everyone else involved and so he’s got a lot to answer for,” said Cumber.

But Dr. Binder pointed out Davis isn’t alone in his proximity to the JEA scandal.

“Three mayoral candidates are at least tangentially involved in this whether they were on Council or running the Chamber at the time,” said Binder.

Read: JEA sale off the table

Aside from Cumber being on city council during the fallout, her husband Husein Cumber previously served as a JEA board member for years and even voted to confirm Zahn as CEO of the utility in 2018.

Cumber pushed back on the suggestion she or her husband had any involvement, and noted her husband was the second to testify against Zahn.

“Including the fact that he had a resolution. It was his resolution that said that there would be no discussion of privatization at JEA and they ignored him,” said Cumber.

The Davis campaign declined to comment on the resolution calling for the grand jury.

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The Governor’s Office also did not respond for a request for comment.