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City Manager Rick Fernandez To Resign Amid Ethics Flap

City of Tallahassee News
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City of Tallahassee

Tallahassee City Manager Rick Fernandez will resign today while facing ethics complaints over his relationships with lobbyists and vendors.

Fernandez was placed on paid administrative leave in November, following allegations he requested Florida State University football tickets from a lobbyist--a possible violation of the state's gift ban. Fernandez initially denied the claim but text messages later showed he asked for the tickets. He's also under criticism for accepting a catering discount from a vendor for his daughter's wedding. Both cases are before the state ethics commission.

Under a potential resignation agreement, the city manager would receive $94,000, or 18 weeks of pay and would still remain eligible for his full retirement benefits, in addition to accrued personal and sick leave. Fernandez's salary was $232,000 yearly.

His retirement is effective January 3rd.

Follow @HatterLynn

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University and Florida State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master's in Professional Communication. Lynn has been with WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She has worked with several organizations, including Kaiser Health News.  Lynn has also partnered with USC-Annenberg's Center for Child Wellbeing on the nationally acclaimed series "Committed," which explored the prevalence of involuntary commitment use on children.
She serves on the board of RTDNA and the United Way of the Big Bend, with previous service on the board of the First Amendment Foundation of Florida.

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