CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Action News Jax has learned the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office corrections officer accused of stalking Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels, and members of her family, gave nearly $2,000 to his campaign.
Action News Jax’s Russell Colburn found the campaign contributions made by Cierra Smith and her family are legal campaign donations.
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They come under a variety of names including Cierra Smith and her estranged husband, Larry, and vary from $2 to $600.
It’s money that went to Daniels’ campaign to help him become Sheriff of Clay County.
In 2015, her household gave just under $400. Then, in 2016, it balloons to $1,600.
At the time, Daniels worked in the Duval County Jail along with Smith. She said she and Daniels had a years long sexual relationship that recently ended.
In a secretly recorded phone call that appears to involve Daniels, his wife and Smith’s estranged husband, Darryl Daniels said Smith has been forcing him to give her money without his wife knowing.
Darryl Daniels: “She had no idea that I was being extorted.”
Smith's attorney tells Action News Jax the more than $30,000 Daniels gave to her during their relationship was for gifts and vacations, anything she wanted.
Denise Daniels: “So from (20)14 to (20)15 and now we’re in (20)19, and three months ago, from what I understand, she was still reaching out to Darryl for money.”
Darryl: “She was doing more than reaching.”
Denise: “So what was she doing? What do you mean more than reaching?”
Darryl: “She was receiving money.”
Denise: "OK, she was receiving money from you all the way up until three months ago in 2019?"
Darryl: "Yep."
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This relationship came to light after an Action News Jax public record request revealed a 400 page internal affairs investigation into Cierra Smith. She faces six disciplinary charges and now, Smith is being recommended for termination.
Smith was not arrested for stalking and Daniels declined to press charges.
We’ve continued to try to speak with Sheriff Darryl Daniels, but are told he’s out of town until Friday and won’t comment until then.
Cox Media Group
