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Lee county manager asked to step down during investigation
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Lee County Commission Chairman Ray Judah has suggested embattled County Manager Don Stilwell take an immediate paid leave of absence.
Judah said it would be good for Stilwell to go voluntarily rather than wait for commissioners to order him, at least until the investigation three commissioners have requested is over.
“It would be appropriate for the county manager to take a voluntary leave of absence at this time,” Judah said.
Judah expects an investigation to begin July 22, when he’s called a special meeting to request one. Judah and Commissioners Bob Janes and Frank Mann have already requested an investigation, but County Attorney David Owen said that requires a meeting and a formal vote.
Judah said Stilwell did not embrace the leave idea.
“He was defensive,” Judah said. “I said to Don, ‘You need to think about it.’ ”
The heat got turned up on Stilwell when his son-in-law, Samir Cabrera, was indicted on fraud charges. Not long after that, Stilwell’s involvement in one of Cabrera’s land deals — a piece of property called Daniels View — was questioned.
Stilwell said in two separate commission meetings that he had “no involvement” with Daniels View, which is along the path of a planned county road. He once held a second mortgage on the property, but that loan — $200,000 used to pay interest on the land — had been paid off.
Stilwell had also invested $200,000 in another of Cabrera’s land deals, this one in the city of Fort Myers. When that deal floundered, Cabrera transferred investors’ funds to Daniels View, where they got a piece of his share.
Documents filed months ago in a civil suit over Daniels View include transfer agreements signed by investors. The agreement bearing Stilwell’s name is unsigned, and he says he didn’t know he was invested there. A settlement of the civil suit is pending. Stilwell and other investors stand to recoup 36 cents on the dollar.
While reviewing his financial records, Stilwell found another Cabrera investment. This one in a property at 13701 Fiddlesticks. That’s one of two deals for which Cabrera now faces fraud charges. Prosecutors say he flipped the property between two investment groups, both of which he represented, telling neither group.
Mann said he wants the answers to a number of questions, but doesn’t think an immediate leave is necessary.
“Frankly, I don’t see that that’s called for yet,” he said.
Mann met with Stilwell on Tuesday.
“He continues to express his frustration, feeling that he’s done nothing wrong,” Mann said.
Stilwell was hired after a national search in 1993. His arrival ended a revolving door that had seen six county administrators in five years. He is the longest tenured county manager in Lee history.
His 15 years as county manager have been rocky at times, with Judah trying repeatedly to have him fired, the last time in 2001. Commissioners have largely credited him with an era of stability, though he’s not been a favorite of Commissioner Brian Bigelow since he was elected in 2006.
Commissioners are on their July break. Bigelow and Commissioner Tammy Hall are both out of town. Janes and Stilwell could not be reached on Wednesday.
“I don’t think there’s anything condemning or clear as to mandate immediate removal,” Mann said. “On the other hand is 15 years of fairly splendid reviews.”
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Staff writer Brad Kane contributed to this story.
Comments
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Another politician who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar? Tell me it's not true! Sadly, most people seek office for PERSONAL GAIN.
#1 Posted by cousinjed on July 10, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First you tell a lie.
Then, you lie to cover up the first lie,
Then.........I'm guessing you see where it goes from here.
;-)
#2 Posted by Optipess on July 10, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Next thing you know they will be dragging his daughter Jessica into this mess.
#3 Posted by reasonableguy on July 10, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There was some Collier County transportation employee caught doing something similar. I believe he was terminated.
#4 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on July 10, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Neat head
#5 Posted by arsenal on July 10, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The agreement bearing Stilwell’s name is unsigned, and he says he didn’t know he was invested there"
Perhaps Jessica can investigate for her dad and find out exactly where he's invested?
She's a doll and an excellent reporter.
#6 Posted by Naplestango on July 11, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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