The state Commission on Ethics has dismissed complaints against two Cape Coral City Council members.
The commission dismissed complaints filed against Mayor John Sullivan and Councilmember Bill Deile at the commission’s April 16 meeting, according to a press release dated April 21 and posted to the agency’s website.
The complaints were dismissed for “lack of legal sufficiency,” the release states.
The complaints, filed by resident Daryl Teblum in March, had alleged a possible conflict of interest. Sullivan and Deile, before their respective elections, each had filed suit against the city questioning the methodology the Cape uses to impose utility expansion assessments. The city council is now revisiting the utility expansion program.
Sullivan said Saturday he had fully expected the complaints to be dismissed.
“I had no doubt that was going to happen,” Sullivan said by phone. “I wasn’t worried about it but there were some legal expenses incurred and I think we need to go after Mr. Teblum to get the money back.”
Sullivan was not sure of the exact amount.
He added that some of the information included in the complaints was erroneous.
Neither Teblum nor Deile could be immediately reached for comment.
Commission reviews for legal sufficiency are limited to questions of jurisdiction and determination as to whether the charges are adequate to allege a violation of the code of ethics, the commission release states.
If the commission finds probable cause, an investigation ensues. If not, the charge is dismissed.