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Meehan Quits Heritage Isles CDD

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LAURA KINSLER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 10, 2008

HERITAGE ISLES - Supervisor Jack Meehan abruptly resigned Wednesday at the end of a community development district meeting as more questions were raised about possible improprieties.

A week before, Meehan revealed that he had sold insurance to two Heritage Isles vendors while serving on the community development district board. Meehan, who is licensed to sell health and life insurance, refused to reveal the names of his clients.

One of the first homeowners appointed to the CDD board, Meehan was running for his second four-year term.

After the insurance flap, Meehan revealed he had accepted a free meal at Dempsey's Steak House at Saddlebrook Resort after complaining to management about a poor dining experience at Heritage Isles. Dempsey Resort Management, which manages Saddlebrook, took over operations at the Heritage Isles Golf & Country Club in June 2007.

"That was a real shocker," CDD chairman Steve Stark said. "He should have known better than to accept a [complimentary] meal. That bill could have been $500."

Meehan could not be reached for comment.

The remaining board members accepted Meehan's resignation and could appoint a successor when they meet Wednesday. Stark said he will nominate Frank Camara, who qualified to run for the seat in November.

Heritage Isles homeowner Steve Hluchanyk said he initially questioned the CDD supervisors during their June 30 meeting "to clear the air" because he had heard vague rumors about them using their positions for financial gain.

"It's a question of trust," he said. "If I'm there to serve the community, I'm not going to jeopardize it just to make a few pennies."

Hluchanyk said he never expected to hear Meehan answer in the affirmative. "I'm shocked and disappointed," he said.

CDD attorney Tracy Robin said he assumes Meehan earned a commission from the sale of the insurance policies, but without knowing the size or the client, it would be impossible to estimate the amount. He also said he doesn't know whether the vendors bought the policies from Meehan before the CDD supervisors voted on their contracts.

"I don't know the details of who the client is or when the policies were sold," Robin said. "There could be an appearance of impropriety, or he could have tripped over the line."

Greg Riehle, executive vice president for Dempsey Resort Management, said no one at Dempsey or Saddlebrook has purchased insurance from Meehan.

Florida ethics laws prohibit elected officials from having any "contractual relationship with any business entity or any agency which is subject to the regulation of, or is doing business with, an agency of which he or she is an officer or employee."

The statute also says public officials cannot "solicit or accept anything of value to the recipient, including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future employment, favor, or service, based upon any understanding that the vote, official action, or judgment of the public officer, employee, local government attorney, or candidate would be influenced thereby."

Robin said the district has no jurisdiction to investigate whether Meehan violated the ethics law. That's the role of the Florida Commission on Ethics.

Meehan is still listed as a qualified candidate for the CDD seat.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 865-4844 or lkinsler@tampatrib.com.

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