Now that Mayor John Marks has been cleared of all charges in the ethics case filed against him, he can seek reimbursement for his legal fees. He says he’s not sure what he will do.  /  Democrat files

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Marks ethics case

April 25, 2011

Local businessman Erwin Jackson files ethics complaints against Mayor John Marks saying he broke the law when he voted on separate matters involving city vendors the Alliance for Digital Equality, an Atlanta nonprofit, and Honeywell. The complaints say Marks voted on a federal grant involving ADE while the nonprofit was paying him as an adviser and that he voted on matters involving Honeywell while working for a law firm that represented the company.

June 15, 2012

The Florida Commission on Ethics charges Marks with five violations of state ethics laws for voting on matters involving ADE and Honeywell.

Oct. 8, 2012

A one-day hearing before Administrative Law Judge Lawrence P. Stevenson is held in the Marks case. Marks’ attorney, Barry Richard, argues Marks didn’t violate ethics laws when he voted on ADE and Honeywell matters. Diane Guillemette, advocate for the Ethics Commission, says Marks “turned a blind eye” to voting conflicts.

Nov. 1, 2012

Guillemette recommends in court filings that Marks be fined $30,000 and face public reprimand and censure. Richard argues the charges should be dropped because of a lack of evidence.

Nov. 27, 2012

Stevenson rules in favor of Marks, saying that evidence in the case was not strong enough to show that Marks violated ethics laws.

January 25th, 2013

The Ethics Commission votes 6-1 to accept Stevenson’s recommendation and drop all charges against Marks.