Elite Vaccine Clinic Probe Moves Forward After FL Ethics Meeting

Bradenton FL

06 December, 2021

2:41 PM

Description

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh told Patch she has "nothing to hide" as an ethics investigation into an elite COVID-19 vaccination clinic she hosted in Lakewood Ranch earlier in the year moves forward. The February pop-up event at Premier Sports Campus targeted those living in two of Manatee County's wealthiest ZIP codes at a time when it was difficult for many Floridians to find and receive the coronavirus vaccine. The ongoing, months-long ethics investigation has remained confidential, but Baugh told Patch she attended a Florida Commission on Ethics meeting regarding the case Friday in Tallahassee. She didn't speak at the meeting. In a majority vote, the commission determined there is probable cause to move the investigation to the next step of the complaint process, the Bradenton Times reported. In this step, the commission must decide whether the law was violated and recommend a penalty. It could also call for a public hearing. "I am looking forward to the next stage of this probe to bring truth and perspective to these allegations and clearing my name," Baugh told Patch. The District 5 commissioner, who also serves as chair of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, organized the vaccination clinic at the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis and with assistance from his office and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The event offered the vaccine only to those living in the 34211 and 34202 ZIP codes, which fall within District 5. Handpicking these ZIP codes bypassed Manatee County's vaccine lottery system that was in place at the time. Baugh also created a VIP list for the clinic, which included her name, though she ultimately didn't receive the vaccine at that event. Related Stories: 'Nothing Criminal' After Investigation Of Elite Vaccine ClinicElite Vaccine Clinic Investigation: 7 Things We LearnedEthics Complaint Targets Politician Behind Elite Vaccine ClinicLakewood Ranch Protest Targets Organizer Of Elite Vaccine ClinicWoman Who Complained To Commissioner Added To VIP Vaccine ListTexts Show Political Motives Behind Elite Vaccine Event: ReportExclusive Vaccine Clinic's Organizer Investigated By Police A criminal complaint was filed against Baugh Feb. 22 alleging that she violated three Florida state statutes regarding misuse of public position, official misconduct and misuse of confidential information. After a four-month investigation, the sheriff's office "concluded that none of Baugh's actions rose to the level of a crime," according to a news release from MCSO. Senior Investigator Keith Powell with the Florida Commission on Ethics told the sheriff's office that as of mid-May, there were at least 18 ethics complaints filed against Baugh for her involvement with the Lakewood Ranch vaccination event. Millie Fulford, a complaint coordinator for the commission, told Patch by email Monday that there are no public records available about ethics complaints against Baugh. "Therefore, I cannot confirm or deny the existence of an ethics complaint, investigation or hearing in relation to her," Fulford said. She said complaints considered at an ethics hearing become public five days following the hearing. Statements on matters heard by the commission Friday could be released by Wednesday. Though Baugh's case wasn't on the commission's agenda for Friday's public session, it might have been on the confidential executive agenda for that day, which only staff and commission members see, Fulford added.