Hillsborough County commissioners are weighing whether to ask Gov. Ron DeSantis to review potential ethics concerns involving members of the Tampa Sports Authority after a contentious sports board vote sparked intense allegations of self-dealing.
Tampa Sports Ethics Review
The controversy centers on a June 2 vote by the Tampa Sports Authority urging local leaders to prioritize Raymond James Stadium upgrades over a new home for the Tampa Bay Rays. It prompted a local attorney and registered state lobbyist to send a letter to TSA, claiming four board members stood to benefit if the new baseball stadium plans collapsed.
Commissioner Christine Miller stated she felt a strong responsibility to pass the details to a governing body equipped to investigate. Commissioner Joshua Wostal slammed the decision, calling the county’s intervention ‘wholly irresponsible.’ Commissioner Ken Hagan questioned whether the Tampa Sports Authority’s vote would have any impact on a future stadium agreement.
The general counsel for the sports authority issued a sharp defense, writing that the board members did not violate ethics laws. The attorney asserted that recusal was completely unwarranted, and the board members were legally required to vote.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
