JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Documents reveal a high-level staffer for Rep. Corrine Brown was also being paid by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, raising questions of whether that’s a conflict of interest.
A JTA contract for government relations services dated February 2014 lists Brown staffer Von Alexander's business as a subcontractor for a business JTA paid $300,000.
Alexander is on Brown's payroll as her community development director.
Mayor Lenny Curry sent an email Monday asking his office to set up a meeting with JTA CEO Nathaniel Ford.
“I'm involved with the independent authorities. They're a part of the city of Jacksonville. I'm going to continue to make sure that I have the knowledge that I need to make sure that they're looking out for taxpayers,” said Curry.
Von Alexander did not return Action News Jax’s phone call. Her attorney later called and said she has no comment.
JTA spokesperson Leigh Ann Rassler said JTA was not aware of Alexander’s job as a staffer for Brown.
Rassler said Alexander was instrumental in community outreach when JTA launched its route optimization initiative.
She said since JTA did not pay her directly, she did not know how much money Alexander has gotten over the years from JTA.
The U.S. House of Representatives announced Wednesday it’s going to investigate Brown for possible ethics violations.
That House Committee on Ethics made the vote unanimously.
The investigative subcommittee will look into improper conduct with outside organizations, conspiring with others in connection with fraudulent activity, improperly soliciting charitable donations, using campaign funds for personal purposes, using official resources for non-official purposes, failing to comply with tax laws and more.
Brown said she had no comment on the investigation.
The Department of Justice has asked the House to defer action, which implies that a House probe could possibly interfere with a DOJ investigation.
Cox Media Group
