JEA board votes to terminate former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — 2:55 P.M. UPDATE: Following today’s meeting of the JEA Board of Directors, Mayor Lenny Curry announced that all six members of the JEA Board Directors will leave their positions effective the end of February.

Mayor Curry’s statement:

"I’ve talked to Fred Newbill, Camille Lee-Johnson, Dane Grey and Henry Brown and each informed me it is their desire to end their service with the JEA Board of Directors. I have asked all board members, including April Green who resigned earlier today, to continue to serve until the end of February, and all agreed. Kelly Flanagan will also continue her service until her term expires on February 28th.

"To the Board of Directors, I want to thank you for your dedication and service throughout your individual terms. I am grateful for your time, contributions and the incredible commitment this has required.

"Moving forward, I will work with City Council to identify and appoint a new executive Board of Directors as soon as possible. Understanding that among their first orders of business will be rebuilding public trust and strengthening the future of this vital and valued community asset.

“In conclusion, I am confident there is a positive path forward and I am focused on working together for the best interests of all citizens.”

Full updated story: JEA CEO terminated with cause, Board members to leave at end of February

12:18 P.M. UPDATE: April Green, JEA Board Chair, is resigning hours after the board voted to fire former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn with cause.

10:15 A.M. UPDATE: The JEA Board just voted unanimously to terminate former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn with cause.

Zahn’s attorney, John Mullen, sent Action News Jax the following statement:

“Mr. Zahn is disappointed in the outcome of today’s JEA Board meeting. In the last month, Mr. Zahn has made every effort to cooperate and find an amicable separation in the best interest of JEA, the community and his family. We are surprised at the unprecedented level of political and media interference in business matters of JEA. We expect the results from a full hearing of the facts in front of an impartial arbitrator to be starkly different.”

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole is following the story and will have the latest on FOX30 and CBS47 at 5 p.m.

Original Story:

The Office of General Counsel, the City of Jacksonville’s legal team, said evidence does exist to support termination of former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn with cause.

This comes after six weeks of more than 30 witness interviews and review of thousands of emails and documents.

The Office of General Counsel said Zahn can be terminated with cause because his conduct included, but was not limited to: willful misconduct and gross negligence of duties.

On Tuesday morning, the OGC read 24 specific reasons to the room to back-up their conclusion.

The Office of General Counsel said Zahn’s future is now in the board’s hands. If the board votes to terminate him with cause: Zahn’s employment would end Tuesday, benefits and payments would end Tuesday and COBRA health coverage would continue at his own expense.

Read previous story here.

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