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State ethics commission fines Madeira Beach officials

City Commissioner Nancy Oakley and Fire Chief Derryl O'Neal were fined for violating ethics laws
 
Madeira Beach City Commissioner Nancy Oakley was fined by the state ethics commission
Madeira Beach City Commissioner Nancy Oakley was fined by the state ethics commission
Published Jan. 31, 2019

MADEIRA BEACH — Two top city officials were found guilty last week by the Florida Commission on Ethics for violating state ethics laws.

Commissioner Nancy Oakley was fined $5,000 and a recommendation of "public censure" and reprimand by the governor.

The action against Oakley followed an administrative law judge's findings upholding a complaint by former City Manager Shane Crawford that alleged she had sexually harassed him by licking his face and groping him at a public event.

Fire Chief Derryl O'Neal was fined $2,000 following an administrative law judge's findings that he had "corruptly" used his office by storing his personal property, a Jet Ski, on city-owned property.

O'Neal was also ordered to reimburse the city $2,320, bring the total penalty to $4,320.

He did not receive a public censure or reprimand because of his "many years of service to the city" and a lack of evidence that he had previously violated state ethics laws.

Both Oakley and O'Neal had unsuccessfully asked the ethics commission to dismiss the complaints against them.