FDLE, city attorney agree: Business owner can't support claims
By Bethany Chambers
Staff writer
DAYTONA BEACH - The office of Gov. Charlie Crist confirmed last week that it is reviewing criminal complaints against the city of Daytona Beach filed by resident and business owner Ron Bynum, co-founder of the political action committee, "Striving Towards a New Daytona," or STAND.
Mr. Bynum is the owner of an executive recruiting firm, a $2.5 million riverfront home and multiple rental properties, including the Lollipops Gentlemen's Club. He sent a letter to Gov. Crist March 4 accusing city officials of fraud.
Mr. Bynum has asked the governor to pursue a grand jury investigation into city government because three law enforcement agencies have declined to investigate.
Mr. Bynum has threatened to sue the city if the governor does not convene a grand jury.
The four sworn complaints allege ongoing fraud by city staff regarding:
. The Beach Street Condominium Project, which Mr. Bynum says was approved based on falsified records
. The community redevelopment area audit, which found 22 spending violations
. Public utilities department misspending, including a possible $7.5 million slush fund
. The city's purchase of Commissioner Rick Shriver's home above appraised value
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office and Office of the State Attorney immediately referred Mr. Bynum to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement after receiving the complaints in December and January.
In February, Mr. Bynum received a letter from FDLE Orlando Regional Operations Center legal advisor Steve Brady stating that "the facts set forth in your complaint ... are insufficient to warrant a criminal investigation."
Mr. Brady did not return calls for comment.
In his letter to the governor, Mr. Bynum said the city has been "under financial siege by city management and elected officials for years."
Erin Isaac, Gov. Crist's communications director, said the office of the governor must first determine that these complaints "fall under (the governor's) purview."
"We just received the complaint and it is currently in the review process," she said.
She could not say how long the process would take.
City attorney Bob Brown commended FDLE for examining the evidence and dismissing the case. He said he is "not concerned" about the governor's investigation, either.
He speculated that Mr. Bynum is simply seeking publicity for Lollipops and STAND, which is currently conducting a petition drive for charter amendments.
"(He is) getting all kinds of information and trying to disrupt the workings of the city," Mr. Brown said. "I don't think any allegations he files will ever be found to be of merit."
Mr. Bynum is not confident the case will be investigated, he said.
"I anticipate the governor will refer back to FDLE and (the Office of the State Attorney) because it's an election year," he said. "I'd doubt he wants to get involved."
Mr. Bynum recently sued the city unsuccessfully over another matter. An October lawsuit filed to prevent the city from subsidizing the Daytona Beach International Festival was dismissed early this year.
"My goal is not to win, but to get discovery and force the disclosure of information," he said. "The people in power aren't answering our questions. This is a democracy, and they work for us."
bchambers@hometownnewosl.com