Walton City Council approved the findings of an investigation into the conduct of former Mayor Gabe Brown at a meeting Tuesday evening.
The final report of the months-long investigation included seven key findings, according to special counsel Bryce Rhoades. The findings were:
- that Brown used a city-issued card for personal use or otherwise allowed it to be used;
- that Brown kept a city-owned vehicle in his possession for an additional week after returning from city business, then abandoned the vehicle outside a city councilmember’s residence;
- that Brown used a city plow truck to clear the parking lot of a private business outside the corporate limits of the city, for which he received cash and goods;
- that Brown authorized payments in excess of the agreed contract price with a contractor and failed to submit two change orders to city council for approval;
- that Brown authorized payment to the same contractor prior to the city receiving an invoice for the work performed;
- that Brown authorized payment to the same contractor personally by means of cashier check payable from the General Fund.
- that Brown authorized payment of $200,611.90 to a second contractor for work performed on the Owens Park Lake Project without first making newspaper advertisement for bids.
The full final report of findings will be made available to the public on the city website, including more details about each of the seven points.
The investigation began earlier this year after the city council became aware of potential misconduct on behalf of then-Mayor Brown. According to councilmember Dan Martin, a private citizen first alleged misconduct in August 2023.
“The snow plow truck was the first incident that kind of got this ball rolling,” Martin said. “A private citizen just called a councilmember and said, ‘Hey, I saw this and just wanted you guys to be aware.’ That councilmember addressed it with Gabe Brown.”
Previously, council shared that Brown had plowed snow from the parking lot of a business outside of Walton for monetary gain before the city had been plowed itself.
Council proceeded to conduct an investigation into Brown’s actions following the accusation, which included retaining special counsel Rhoades to lead it and hiring a consultant to conduct a forensic audit of the last fiscal year.
After Brown resigned in late March and then rescinded his resignation, the Council decided to prepare charges against him to remove him from office. At a special meeting on Tuesday, May 7, council was prepared to reveal the charges to the public. However, while Council was in executive session, Brown dropped off another letter of resignation, this one to go into effect immediately.
Council decided to table the motion to bring charges against Brown, and reveal them at the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday.
“This report is essentially a summary of what those charges would have been,” Rhoades said.
Since Brown resigned from office, the charges bear no consequences against him as an elected official, and he still retains the opportunity to put his name back on the ballot for mayor in November. Now, Rhoades said that revealing the charges just serves as public knowledge.
“The report was started as charges that would have been used for removal had Council decided to do that, but since he resigned, they no longer have that ability,” Rhoades said. “Council made the decision they wanted this to be public so everyone knew what had been investigated now.”
In the meantime, the city must appoint an interim mayor to serve the remainder of Brown’s term. Six candidates will interview for the position, including three councilmembers: Amy Long, Terri Courtney, Dan Martin, former Mayor Mark Carnahan, Eric Tungate and Bruce Bloomer.
While the city originally planned to interview and vote for the best candidate in a special meeting on Wednesday, May 15, Council decided to reschedule it for Monday, May 20.
According to Martin, the candidates will have the opportunity to speak to the public, then Council will move into a closed discussion to make a final decision. Council must make a unanimous decision on who the candidate will be.
“I’m confident that Council will make the right decision, I think there’s good candidates,” said Courtney. “Personally, I believe that the lack of communication and teamwork between the mayor and Council has been absent. And if given the opportunity, I would love to foster a team environment where we are all working together.”
Martin said that he hopes to see the city restore residents’ faith in the government through action.
“I can say whatever words, Council can say whatever words, but if we don’t institute plans that could prevent this kind of financial wrongdoing, if the citizens don’t see us taking this absolutely serious, whether that’s bringing in a city manager or implementing policies within the city office, without actions, my words don’t matter tonight,” said Martin. “And I hope they see between now and November that the city has done whatever in their power to move on from this, but not ignore it by any means.”