Loading...
Clerk/County Attorney MemoCLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA KEY WEST, FLORIDA RECORDER COLLECTOR OF DELINQUENT TAXES COUNTY CLERK COUNTY AUDITOR M E M O R A N D U M TO: Chairman Board of County Commissioners and Commissioners FROM: Ralph W. White, Clerk SUBJECT: Airport Manager, George Faraldo Dear Mayor Pritchard and Commissioners: During the recent post audit that is being conducted by members of the Auditor General's Staff, it was discovered that Mr. Faraldo entered into a contract with the Fidelity and Casualty Company of New York on January 1, 1964 which calls for the monthly servicing of the insurance machines at the Key West International Airport. After discussion with the Auditor or Auditors and the County Attorney it is felt that this type of contract is in direct violation of Chapter 112.313 (1) (3) (7) of the Florida Statute, which relates specifically to unauthorized compensation. I am by separate memorandum referring this entire matter to the County Attorney's otfice to determine whether or not restitution on the part of Mr. Faraldo will be required. In conversation with Mr. Faraldo he indicated to me that the Board of County Commissioners had approved his accomplishing this work and receiving private compensation. I can find no record or any such formal action in the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners nor has Mr. Faraldo produced any documen- tation substantiating this position. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Ve my yours, 1 '�W. White Clerk of Circuit Court RWW/vp .1 cc: Mr. Sawyer cc: file Nabih CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA KEY WEST, FLORIDA RECORDER. COLLECTOR OF DELINQUENT TAXES 0 M E M O R A N D U M To: Paul Sawyer, County Attorney From: Ralph W. White, Clerk Subject: Airport Manager, George Faraldo Dear Mr. Sawyer: COUNTY CLERK COUNTY AUDITOR Enclosed you will find copies of the contract which Mr. Faraldo signed as Airport Manager by which he has been receiving compensation since 1964 for the performance of duties at the Airport. It is felt by the Legislative Auditors that this is a direct _violation of Chapter 112.313 (7). I have notified the Board of County Commissioners this date of the matter and my intent to refer it to your office for determination as to whether or not restitution is going to be required. Please advise at the earliest date by written nnininn what rnnrce of action should be taken in this matter. The Legislative Auditor is going to want this information prior to completion of the final audit. W ly yours, W ite Circuit Court RWW/vp cc: Mayor Pritchard and Commissioners cc: file 10 Aonroe f ounig P. 0. BOX 1680 KEY WEST, FLORIDA 33040 October 27, 1975 Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and County Commissioners Monroe County Courthouse Key West, Florida 33040 Gentlemen: Pearb of a.,ndu coa ieeivnrm HARRY S. PRITCHARD Mayor JOHN W. PARKER Mayor Pro Tom PURIECTON HOWANITZ JEROME V.SHIPLEY MARTHA M. WEDEL RALPH W. WHITE Clerk To The Board PAUL SAWYER Legal Advisor Reference is made to undated memorandum 4ddressed to the Chairman Board of County Commissioners and Commissioners from Ralph W. White, Clerk; Subject, Airport Manager, George Faraldo. Upon receipt of said memorandum, I have investigated any violations of Chapter 112.313 Florida Statutes and find as follows: 1. That in 1964, prior to the enactment of Chapter 112 Florida Statutes, that the Airport Manager entered into a contract with the Fidelity and Casualty Company in New York on January, 1964, calling for the monthly servicing of the insurance machines at the Key West International Airport. Mr. Faraldo advises me that he serviced these machines on his off -duty time and only took monies from the machines during his day -time employment with the County and was acting for the County in order to insure that the County received the proper amount of money due same under the County's contract with said insurance company. 2. I further found out that in 1967 the method of report- ing income from said machines was questioned by the State Auditors and at that time they advised a different procedure in accounting for the monies taken from said machines at which time the changes in procedures for accounting for the money was changed and the Auditors made no comment in their 1967 Audit Report. That during the year 1969, which was the last audit year that the State Auditors audited the County's books, no mention was made of this matter. To my knowledge, the Board was not aware of any contract that Mr. Faraldo had with said company. 3. I can find no evidence of misappropriation of any funds due the County and that the County did not lose any funds as a result of any outside employment for servicing said machines made by Mr. Faraldo. 4 t Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and County Commissioners October 27, 1975 Page 2 4. Upon receipt of the memorandum hereinabove referred to, I informed the Airport Manager to cease servicing said machines, and he immediately cancelled his contract for servicing the machines during his off -time and the machines are now being serviced by some- one employed by the insurance company, and Mr. Faraldo will only be present with the machines are unlocked to take any monies out and see that the County receives its correct share of same. 5. I also find that it was the intent of the Legislature in passing Chapter 112 Florida Statutes not to prevent any employee from accepting other employment which does not interfere with the faithful discharge of his duties to the County. This intent is carried over in the changes made by Florida State Legislature to said Chapter 112 during the year 1974 and in Chapter 75-208 Laws of Florida 1975 which again amended said Chapter 112 and in which the intention was stated as follows: "112.316 Construction. --It is not the intent of this part, nor shall it be construed, to prevent any officer or employee of a state agency or county, city, or other political subdivision of the state or any legislator or legislative employee from accepting other employment or following any pursuit which does not interfere with the full and faithful discharge by such officer, employee, legislator, or legislative employee of his duties to the state or the county, city, or other political subdivision of the state involved." "75-208 CONFLICTING EMPLOYMENT OR CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP. --...nor shall an officer or employee of an agency have or hold any employment or con- tractual relationship that will create a continuing or frequently recurring conflict between his private interests and the performance of his public duties or that would impede the full and faithful discharge of his public duties..." While there may have been a technical violation of the statutes, I do not feel that there was any intention or criminal intent in Mr. Faraldo's activities. Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and County Commissioners October 27, 1975 Page 3 Inasmuch as this matter has been brought to the attention of the Board and has been rectified, and the County has not lost any monies in this matter, I recommend that the matter be closed. Very truly yours, �L Cv PAUL E. SAWYER Legal Advisor PES/pa