A Florida sheriff’s department is now investigating whether a land commissioner violated state law after creating a vaccination GDP list and helping set up coronavirus pop-up clinics in two affluent zip codes.
The Manatee County sheriff has since launched an investigation into Commissioner Vanessa Baugh since she was embroiled in a scandal last week. In emails the Bradenton Herald first received, Baugh allegedly discussed putting herself and some of her friend who were unable to receive the vaccine on a GDP list to to skip rope.
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But a board of commissioners for her removal failed on Tuesday, meaning she could remain in the position.
A recent complaint filed by Sarasota attorney Michael Barfield with the sheriff alleges that Baugh could violate at least one of three state laws: abuse of public office, misconduct and misuse of confidential information, the Tampa Bay Times reported. report.
“When Baugh placed individuals and herself on a COVID-19 vaccine distribution list, she acted in violation of the adopted Vaccine Standby Pool and used her official position to secure a special privilege, benefit or exemption for herself and others, wrote Barfield.
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Governor Ron DeSantis has awarded 3,000 vaccines to two zip codes in Lakewood Ranch. Baugh said it was her idea to choose the two specific zip codes, one of which resides, and DeSantis chooses her district in the first place because he wants to concentrate vaccinations in areas with a high population of seniors, Bay News reports 9..
“I apologize to my constituents and colleagues for the expiration of the ruling,” Baugh said in a statement to WWSB on Monday. “These small, biased political calls are nothing but the divisive politics from which our Nation must deviate. I will continue to bring more vaccine to Manatee County and guide us through this pandemic.”
Baugh told the station she had not yet received the vaccine herself. She did not respond to a Fox News request for comment on Thursday.
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Manatee County Democrats, as well as U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., Called on Baugh to resign. But a vote on a motion to remove Baugh called by Commissioner Reggie Bellamy could not pass on Tuesday.