July 12, 2024
Genevieve Curtis of Fox 13 provided a rather shocking update last night, digging into the mismanagement of the Gulf Boulevard undergrounding project:
Click here for Ms. Curtis' Latest Report on Fox 13
In what appears to be one of the most effective Public Records Requests (PRRs) in St. Pete Beach's history, her reporting sheds much-needed sunshine on the sudden resignation of former city manager Alex Rey.
Specifically, the PRR mentioned in her story above is available here:
Click here to view the responsive documents to the Public Records Request
Within the response to this carefully-worded request are a series of fascinating documents regarding a Miami-based engineering firm, Alpha Corporation. Additionally, there are redacted materials from the previously-unpublished City Manager Investigation that detail concerning patterns of abuse both in terms of fiscal controls (or lack thereof), and overall management.
One example:
This Task Order is for $24,980 -- just $20 below Mr. Rey's statutory spending authority of $25,000 that would require City Commission approval.
Structuring contracts to avoid oversight and approval requirements is bad. However, what is even worse is paying this contractor a total of approximately $110,000 with no evidence of their producing any deliverables:
St. Pete Beach residents are encouraged to download and review these PRR documents themselves, paying special attention to the "Alpha Corp" documents and the over 200-page CM Investigation Materials-Redacted:
Unapproved payments to Alpha Corporation with "no evidence of any deliverables" is just one example of abuse of taxpayer funds. There are others as well, such as our Public Information Officer consultant:
After reviewing the above documents, it is beginning to seem that Mr. Rey's abrupt and silent resignation was not just a resignation, but rather an attempt to ignore and cover up patterns of abuse that affected our city's staff and its treasury.
St. Pete Beach residents would be wise to question not just the six million dollar shortfall for Gulf Boulevard undergrounding, but to insist on a full forensic accounting of spending during Mr. Rey's tenure.