There is more controversy surrounding Orlando Venues Director Allen Johnson, as records show a potentially rigged multi-million dollar bid related to the recent Citrus Bowl renovation project. New emails obtained through an extensive public records request also further expose the culture of the department and Mayor Buddy Dyer’s administration. Johnson is… [read more]
The attitude and arrogance of Buddy Dyer’s administration is evident once again, as the highly paid city attorney Mayanne Downs dismissed well-liked Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke as a “rogue commissioner” in newly obtained emails. Downs emailed several senior Orlando City Hall officials, including Dyer’s Chief of Staff Frank Billingsley, urging… [read more]
Yesterday, Ringling Bros. decision to retire all of its elephants by May of this year was “one of the biggest announcements in the modern era of animal welfare,” according to animal rights advocates. But for one of Central Florida’s most prominent Democratic politicians, it may actually be upsetting, after emails reveal one… [read more]
When he donated his $175,000 sculpture falloffstone to the City of Orlando, artist Peter Shelton never imagined his art would end up being destroyed by city employees and then the center of a three-year cover-up scandal by the Dyer administration. In fact, for years Shelton had tried to figure out what exactly happened… [read more]
When a police report was filed by City of Orlando employee Paul Wenzel alleging “criminal mischief” and “vandalism” of a $175,000 city asset in November 2012, the Orlando Police Department did nothing. No investigation was ordered. No questions were asked. In fact, no officer or detective ever reviewed the police… [read more]
Orlando Art Board member Jim Lussier threw a tantrum during this month’s meeting while attempting to cut off official public comment before the allotted time was done. Lussier became visibly irritated when public comments linked an ongoing City Hall cover-up to senior administration officials and the city staffer assigned to… [read more]
One of Mayor Buddy Dyer’s top officials faced increased criticism in depositions, even from his own employees, in the aftermath of a major Citrus Bowl lawsuit that recently settled before this month’s scheduled trial. In fact, according to depositions taken by local law firm Cullen & Hemphill, a longtime city employee alleged Orlando… [read more]
In a very telling deposition, Orlando Venues Director Allen Johnson told lawyers “I don’t recall” about 70 times, including questions about colleagues’ names he works with every day. The responses raise serious questions about Johnson’s leadership, knowledge and ability, especially considering he makes $180,000 per year at the Orlando Venues.… [read more]
When star college running back Graig Cooper entered the Citrus Bowl to play in the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl game, he never imagined his football career would take the turn it did. The University of Miami player was a highly sought recruit and led his team in rushing yards in 2007,… [read more]
When Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs writes the City of Orlando on official business, she likely expects full and honest responses from her partners like Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando Venues Director Allen Johnson. But that does not appear to be the case in the recent memo sent by the… [read more]