Politics
With a high-profile sexual harassment scandal now public, City Hall culture under Ken Welch is again in the spotlight
It’s no secret that workplace culture under St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has been questionable.
The writing was on the wall less than one year into his administration, when his then-Deputy Mayor resigned amid allegations of creating a culture of hostility and retribution. Welch claimed he didn’t know about those issues. But shortly after, a leaked letter from campaign staffers given to him before he was even elected showed he absolutely did.
And that wasn’t the only turnover. The senior staff member who leveled the allegations against former Deputy Mayor Stephanie Owens, former Communications Director Janelle Irwin Taylor (who, full disclosure, is now a senior staff member for Florida Politics) resigned due to the culture she divulged. And her successor, Bay News 9 reporter Erica Riggins, left her post after less than two years. Former Marketing Director Nina Mahmoudi also left her job.
And the city’s longtime fire chief, Jim Large, retired last March after reports that Large created a culture of bullying and discrimination during his then-17 years leading the city’s fire department. He was placed on administrative leave during an investigation, but ultimately reinstated after the Welch administration found allegations were unsubstantiated. Later, a photo surfaced of Large holding a mug that said, “go ahead, call HR.” His retirement was announced shortly thereafter.
Then there were reports of Welch’s work-from-home mentality, showing he was at City Hall on just 34% of regular workdays during his first eight months in office.
Adding insult to injury, the same investigation found that as Hurricane Ian approached Florida in 2022, Welch chose not to stay at the Emergency Operations Center at the St. Petersburg Police Department, opting instead to go home while his top staff left their own families to sleep at the facility.
There’s an awful lot that has happened since then — a failed stadium deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, “Welch Piles,” his weak response to the state’s demand that street murals be removed — but the latest is perhaps the worst, at least when viewed in the context of an administration that seems to keep finding itself in turmoil.
A high-level staff member has now been forced to resign amid credible accusations of sexual harassment, the details of which are disturbing and, well, gross.
To be sure, the guilty party here is most definitely Brian Caper, the city’s former Managing Director of Economic and Workforce Development who resigned last week after a female subordinate filed a complaint with HR alleging a troubling history of sexually charged comments, inappropriate communication and unprofessional, often after-hours comments about other city employees.
But what implicates Welch in this is both the inaction to address concerns that had already been levied and the culture created that seems to be allowing unprofessionalism to run unchecked at City Hall.
The specific allegations from the complainant, whose name Florida Politics is not releasing due to privacy concerns for the victim, are disturbing enough. Text messages provided as part of the sexual harassment investigation show Caper tracking the complainant after hours and inappropriately commenting on her whereabouts, declaring his love for her — he later said it wasn’t romantic love, but admitted being attracted to the employee (and, it’s worth noting, Caper is married) — and consistently making sexually-based comments.
But it’s the allegations that weren’t pursued that are perhaps the most damning not just to Caper, but to Welch.
Another employee, whose name Florida Politics is also redacting to protect her privacy, resigned in late 2022 due to Caper’s inappropriate conduct, which she outlined in her resignation letter. The investigative report findings show that the employee reported Caper’s toxic conduct, which she wrote included body-shaming women, defaming leadership and maliciously manipulating colleagues’ reputations for his own benefit. But she said management not only overlooked it, they promoted him.
To be clear, Welch was Mayor at that time. If he wasn’t aware of the employee’s allegations, presented in a resignation letter, he should have been. A good leader sets a tone that makes employees feel safe to present grievances. The investigative report suggests no such culture exists at St. Pete City Hall, despite Welch’s claim in response to the report that the city “takes any allegations of harassment or inappropriate behavior very seriously.”
But it doesn’t stop there. The same investigative report included transcripts of text messages Caper had sent to the complainant supporting the other employee’s claims. And those texts suggest one of Welch’s top-level administrators is also setting a toxic tone at City Hall.
A series of text messages show Caper describing City Development Administrator James Corbett as someone who drinks excessively and fraternizes with female employees. Corbett is married. In fairness to Corbett, these are unsubstantiated allegations from a disgraced former city employee, but the number of text messages referencing Corbett’s behavior at least warrant looking into.
In one text outlined in the HR report, Caper wrote that Corbett was holding hands with a female employee “at the bar.” The employee is named in the report, but Florida Politics is protecting her privacy.
In another, Caper wrote that “James eventually got overserved and it turned into daycare.”
In another, he wrote that “James was already smashed when I got there so hopefully he’ll be more capable than he let on.”
Still another said in apparent reference to a work trip to Atlanta that “lots of people were sloshed when I got here,” adding that “James and (redacted) showed up to dinner and started pounding drinks.”
If there’s any truth at all to Caper’s many text messages outlining Corbett’s drinking habits with city employees, that’s not just on Corbett — the buck stops with his boss, Welch, who promoted him as one of his first acts as Mayor.
Before taking office in early 2022, Welch promoted Corbett to Neighborhood Affairs Administrator from his previous role as Codes Compliance Director. Later that year, Corbett was named City Development Administrator, technically a lateral move, but one that is perceived to include more responsibility.
Taken individually, none of the headlines that have plagued the Welch administration over the past nearly four years would be especially concerning regarding Welch. Taken collectively, it paints a troubling picture of an administration in chaos, and one that is too busy putting out fires than making the progress Welch ran on.
He hasn’t filed yet, but Welch has said he’s seeking re-election next year. As the incumbent, he’s the assumed front-runner.
Already, City Council member Brandi Gabbard, a respected public servant and local Realtor, has said she plans to run against Welch. She’s a credible candidate, to be sure. As a moderate Democrat and a known supporter of property rights, she has the political bona fides to capture support from the city’s liberal base, and give enough comfort to its conservative constituency to back her over an incumbent plagued by plenty of negatives.
And it looks like she won’t be the only one challenging Welch. Charlie Crist, a former Governor and former U.S. Representative, is reportedly mulling a bid himself.
Former state Rep. Ben Diamond had seriously considered running, though he ultimately chose not to.
Incumbents don’t draw intraparty opposition — let alone twice over — unless they are unpopular.
If Welch is going to survive next year’s election, he’s going to need to stop giving his opposition fodder.
A federal watchdog says the Energy Foundation China (EF China) and U.S. Energy Foundation (US EF) violated Florida fundraising regulations.
Americans for Public Trust (APT), a group focused on foreign dark money fundraising, sent a letter to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson alleging the nonprofit groups broke Florida’s Solicitation of Contributions Act. That requires any nonprofits soliciting donations in Florida to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs — and now bars registered entities from taking money from any “foreign source of concern.”
“EF China, an organization ‘that works with the Chinese government on climate change issues,’ is one of the most prolific processers of foreign dark money,” wrote Caitlin Sutherland, Executive Director of APT, in a six-page letter to Simpson.
The organization says EF China directs money in different nations through other nonprofits.
“While this foreign funding — which is mostly pushing extremist environmental policies — has been exposed, countless more millions could very-well be flowing into EF China from the United States’ adversaries, as EF China has selectively disclosed only certain ‘key funders.’ As such, the systemic interconnectedness between EF China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accentuates the urgent need for extensive inquiry,” the letter reads.
The message ties several EF China officials, including organization President Ji Zou and Executive Director of International Cooperation Huiyong Zhang, to the Chinese Communist Party.
EF China has registered in Florida as a charitable foundation since 2018. US EF, a San Francisco-based organization with the same U.S. address as EF’s China’s American office, has registered in Florida since 2022.
But APT said changes signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024 mean any connection to a “foreign country of concern” puts both groups in conflict with Florida law. State statute lists China specifically as a nation registered nonprofits cannot be funded by and still solicit charitable contributions in Florida.
“There is substantial evidence suggesting that both EF China and U.S. EF may have accepted funding or other things of value directly or indirectly from Chinese sources or facilitators,” the letter reads.
Besides EF China listing in its mission statement a desire of “contributing to China’s accomplishment of an early carbon peak and carbon neutrality,” the nonprofit has an office in Beijing and acts there under oversight of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, a Department of the nation’s State Council.
While the Beijing office is listed as a foreign branch on registration paperwork, APT says more employees for EF China work in China than in the U.S. Moreover, a number of employees for the nonprofit previously held positions with the Chinese government or communist party there.
US EF, meanwhile, has always operated as a U.S. spinoff of EF China, receiving reimbursements for expenses. That means that group, too, should not be able to solicit funds in Florida, by APT’s read.
Sutherland urges Simpson’s Department to investigate whether and to what extent both nonprofits have operated in violation of state law.
“We further request that, if so determined, the Department pursue appropriate civil and criminal penalties for any violations of the Act that it uncovers in the course of its investigation of EF China and US EF,” the letter concludes.
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A memorial to legendary reporter Bill Cotterell will now grace the Senate Press Gallery, following a dedication Monday by Senate President Ben Albritton.
Albritton presented the plaque on the Senate floor in front of the Capitol press corps, delivering brief remarks before opening the floor to Cotterell’s wife, Cynthia Fuller, who spoke briefly of her husband’s work and legacy.
Carrie Venclauskas, the mother of Cotterell’s daughter-in-law, was also in attendance and livestreamed the dedication to Cotterell’s son, Chris, who is stationed at a Naval base.
Cotterell, who died Nov. 24 at 82, carved out a lasting reputation in Florida political journalism through five decades of relentless reporting, sharp-eyed commentary and an unwavering commitment to the First Amendment. A Miami native and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Cotterell began his career as a copy clerk at the Miami Herald before joining United Press International in 1967, arriving in Tallahassee two years later.
He returned in 1984 and soon became one of the Capitol press corps’ most recognizable fixtures, spending 27 years at the Tallahassee Democrat and, later, writing a weekly statewide column for the News Service of Florida until his death.
Cotterell’s work earned him admiration across the political spectrum. Inducted into the Florida Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2017, he was long considered essential reading on state agencies, public employees and the political forces shaping Florida. His columns challenged Democrats and Republicans alike, often delivering uncomfortable truths with wry turns of phrase. Even while battling illness, Cotterell kept filing copy from a rehab center, a testament to a lifelong, old-school devotion to journalism that colleagues and readers admired.
Cotterell’s family held a private memorial service Dec. 4 in Tallahassee. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, a public remembrance is being planned for next year.
Evening Reads
—“The 42 most ridiculous lines from Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center Honors dinner speech” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—”The GOP can’t agree on a health care plan. Some Republicans are panicking.” via Natalie Andrews, Siobhan Hughes and Lindsay Wise of The Wall Street Journal
—”Democrats, who once lambasted Trump on immigration, have grown quiet” via Yasmeen Abutaleb of The Washington Post
—”Inside a gathering of top Democrats filled with hope, nerves and ’28 buzz” via Lisa Lerer, Katie Glueck and Tyler Pager of The New York Times
—“States are raking in billions from slot machines on your phone” via Ben Blatt of The New York Times
—“The casino-fication of news” via Judd Legum of Popular Information
—”James Fishback is registered to vote in two states. Does that make him ineligible for Governor?” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—”Ben Albritton on the future of property tax proposals in the Senate: ‘We’re still measuring’” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics
—“House expands paid parental leave for employees, Daniel Perez says” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics
—”61 acres, many goals: Inside a landowner’s yearslong plan in the Ag Reserve” via Abigail Hasebroock of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“Don’t take down a fence until you know why it was put up.”
— Senate President Ben Albritton, advocating for a cautious approach to slashing property taxes.
Put it on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
While the House moves forward on a slate of property tax proposals, Senate President Ben Albritton is ordering a round of Easy Does Its for his chamber.
New parents working as House staffers will be enjoying an Out of Office thanks to Speaker Daniel Perez’s directive expanding paid parental leave for employees.
Longshot Governor candidate James Fishback served himself a Double Trouble for being registered to vote in Florida and D.C. simultaneously.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Seminoles face Stanford for women’s soccer crown
Two giants of women’s college soccer meet tonight for the NCAA Championship as Florida State faces Stanford in Kansas City (7 p.m. ET, ESPNU).
Florida State, winners of four national championships in the past 10 seasons, goes for a fifth against fellow ACC powers, Stanford, a program in search of a fourth championship.
The two teams met in October with the Cardinal taking a 2-1 decision in Tallahassee. It’s the second time the Seminoles have faced Stanford for the national championship. FSU won in 2023.
Stanford has been the dominant team in the NCAA tournament, allowing no goals. During the season, the Cardinals were the most potent attacking team in the nation. In 24 games, Stanford scored 96 goals, 25 more than the next most efficient team in the nation. Stanford was also the only team in the country with two of the top 10 goal scorers (Jasmine Aikey, 21 goals, and Andrea Kitahata, 17 goals).
FSU is a strong attacking team as well, ranking sixth in the nation with 56 goals in 21 games.
Stanford topped Duke 1-0 behind Aikey’s goal on a free kick in the 10th minute to advance to the finals, while FSU survived TCU 1-0 on a Wrianna Hudson goal in the 72nd minute.
___
Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
Kyle Richards Says She’s Dated Since Mauricio Umansky Separation
Jennifer Webb announces bid for Gulfport City Council in Ward 3
Glean hits $200 million ARR, up from $100 million nine months back
-
Politics8 years agoCongress rolls out ‘Better Deal,’ new economic agenda
-
Entertainment8 years ago
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
-
Politics8 years ago
Poll: Virginia governor’s race in dead heat
-
Entertainment8 years ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Entertainment8 years ago
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
-
Politics8 years ago
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
-
Business8 years ago
6 Stunning new co-working spaces around the globe
-
Tech8 years ago
Hulu hires Google marketing veteran Kelly Campbell as CMO