JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An Action News Jax Investigation is revealing new accusations of insensitivity against city officials after they cracked jokes in front of an elderly woman facing hundreds of dollars in city fines.
It was about a 10-minute conversation between 88-year-old Phyllis Picus, who owns the Picus Dance Academy, and Code Enforcement Officials. Several people said the comments were just downright rude.
"Inappropriate, unprofessional and downright demeaning." That's how Kim Pryor described an exchange, between the 88-year old woman and Special Magistrate William Burkett at a special hearing this week.
"The Special Magistrate was kind of joking with her about the fines," said Pryor.
We obtained that recording from the meeting. Both Code Enforcement Officer Wilbur Fields and Burkett were discussing the woman’s case. We also obtained documents showing Picus violating certain regulations. Tuesday, she attended a hearing addressing those issues.
Burkett: “I will tell you right now that if this comes back, there will be fines. 88 years old or not. And so let’s get this fixed, shall we?”
Picus: "It'll be done."
Burkett: "Good, thank you. 30 days."
Picus: “Thank you.”
“Where it really bothered me was at the end, where the special magistrate said, ‘You’d fine your own mother.’ And the whole group of code enforcement officials that were there busted into laughter,” said Pryor.
[Inaudible Background Voice]
Burkett: “Of course you are Roberts. You’d fine your own mother.”
[laughter]
Background Voice: “Oh my God.”
Burkett: “I suspect I did.”
Background Voice: “Shame on you. Shame on you.”
Picus: “What are they saying?”
Burkett: “You’re not missing a thing!”
We spoke with Picus on the phone, she didn’t want to talk on camera, but says it was hard for her to hear the comments, but the part she did hear, she didn’t think it was that bad.
We also reached out to Burkett, for a comment. A spokesperson for the city said they can’t talk about ongoing cases.
Cox Media Group
