WEATHER ALERT
A source said JEA leaders met at an Avondale coffee shop to discuss the CEO stepping down. It sparked an investigation
Read full article: A source said JEA leaders met at an Avondale coffee shop to discuss the CEO stepping down. It sparked an investigationJacksonville’s JEA utility, previously under fire, now faces a new controversy. Board members allegedly violating Florida’s Sunshine Law.
DeSantis says Florida AG, law enforcement will launch criminal probe of apparent Trump assassination attempt
Read full article: DeSantis says Florida AG, law enforcement will launch criminal probe of apparent Trump assassination attemptGov. Ron DeSantis is slated to speak Tuesday morning with law enforcement in West Palm Beach.
Florida to launch probe of apparent Trump assassination attempt; former federal prosecutor calls it a ‘political stunt’
Read full article: Florida to launch probe of apparent Trump assassination attempt; former federal prosecutor calls it a ‘political stunt’Gov. Ron DeSantis is slated to speak Tuesday morning with law enforcement in West Palm Beach.
Former JEA CEO Zahn is set to do 4 years in a minimum security facility. What will life be like for him there?
Read full article: Former JEA CEO Zahn is set to do 4 years in a minimum security facility. What will life be like for him there?After former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn was sentenced to four years in federal prison for conspiracy and wire fraud on Tuesday, News4JAX wanted to know what life will be like for him when he begins his sentence.
Attorneys for former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn push back against potential sentence of prison time
Read full article: Attorneys for former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn push back against potential sentence of prison timePainting a picture of a family man, involved in his community, attorneys for former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn are asking a judge to not impose a multi-year prison sentence for his federal convictions of conspiracy and wire fraud, which they say has already taken an immense toll on Zahn and his family, with scrutiny and humiliation leading to a diagnosis of PTSD for the former utility head.
City of Jacksonville sues Arlington apartment complex, says it violated Fair Housing Act
Read full article: City of Jacksonville sues Arlington apartment complex, says it violated Fair Housing ActThe city of Jacksonville has filed a federal Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit against the owners and managers of an Arlington apartment complex.
Tennessee AG investigating alleged Jacksonville company behind Graceland’s attempted foreclosure sale
Read full article: Tennessee AG investigating alleged Jacksonville company behind Graceland’s attempted foreclosure saleThe Tennessee Attorney General has launched an investigation into Naussany Investments and Private Lending, the company with Jacksonville ties that was behind the attempted foreclosure sale of Graceland.
‘I miss ur face’: Text messages sent by former JSO officer to 17-year-old included in new federal charge
Read full article: ‘I miss ur face’: Text messages sent by former JSO officer to 17-year-old included in new federal chargeFormer Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer Josue’ Garriga III has been charged with the federal crime of using a cell phone/internet to coerce a minor.
Serenata Beach Club employees say bank wouldn’t cash recent paychecks amid owners’ ongoing legal battle
Read full article: Serenata Beach Club employees say bank wouldn’t cash recent paychecks amid owners’ ongoing legal battleA judge denied a motion filed by the ownership of the Serenata Beach Club to dismiss a foreclosure lawsuit during a Monday hearing at the St. Johns County court.
You probably own a security camera. The St. Johns County Sherriff’s Office wants to use it to fight crime
Read full article: You probably own a security camera. The St. Johns County Sherriff’s Office wants to use it to fight crimeIs it a helpful tool to solve crime, or an encroachment on civil liberties? Surveillance and doorbell cameras seem to be everywhere, and now local sheriffs are asking homeowners and business owners who have them to essentially — connect.
A Jacksonville man said a woman died by suicide. JSO detectives say he staged the whole thing
Read full article: A Jacksonville man said a woman died by suicide. JSO detectives say he staged the whole thingA Jacksonville man has been charged with domestic murder after detectives said he strangled a woman in October and then staged her death to look like a suicide.
Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer expected to plead guilty to tampering with evidence charges
Read full article: Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer expected to plead guilty to tampering with evidence chargesThe mother of a teenager now serving a life sentence for killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey is expected to plead guilty on Friday to charges related to her son’s case.
Concerned patients calling Jacksonville abortion clinic amid national fight over abortion pill access
Read full article: Concerned patients calling Jacksonville abortion clinic amid national fight over abortion pill accessThe Justice Department is appealing a Texas court ruling that would halt approval of the most commonly used method of abortion in the U_S_ In its appeal Monday, the Justice Department called the decision “extraordinary and unprecedented.”.
Jacksonville squatters finally evicted from home after 40 days leave behind $15K in damage, owners say
Read full article: Jacksonville squatters finally evicted from home after 40 days leave behind $15K in damage, owners sayCo-owners Patti Peeples and Dawn Tiura told News4JAX on Tuesday they dealing with the outcomes of having their Hogan’s Creek home occupied illegally.
Ex-Nassau County deputy facing charges following FBI drug trafficking investigation
Read full article: Ex-Nassau County deputy facing charges following FBI drug trafficking investigationA former Nassau County Sheriff’s Office deputy is facing federal drug charges following an FBI investigation into drug trafficking.
Attorney says it’s unlikely that 3 men charged with killing Ahmaud Arbery can overturn case after they file appeal
Read full article: Attorney says it’s unlikely that 3 men charged with killing Ahmaud Arbery can overturn case after they file appealThe men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia in 2020 are now looking to have their hate crime convictions overturned.
Family files lawsuit, says 19-month-old died after being exposed to fentanyl at Florida Airbnb
Read full article: Family files lawsuit, says 19-month-old died after being exposed to fentanyl at Florida AirbnbA Jacksonville attorney is cautioning vacation rental owners to make sure their rentals are clean after each guest leaves.
Putnam County mom facing battery, child abuse charges arrested twice in same week
Read full article: Putnam County mom facing battery, child abuse charges arrested twice in same weekA Putnam County woman was arrested twice in the past six days on battery and child abuse charges, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
What’s next for Aiden Fucci, teen who pleaded guilty to murder in Tristyn Bailey’s death?
Read full article: What’s next for Aiden Fucci, teen who pleaded guilty to murder in Tristyn Bailey’s death?Aiden Fucci’s penalty phase is next after the teenager pleaded guilty Monday morning to first-degree murder in the death of his 13-year-old St. Johns County schoolmate Tristyn Bailey.
Former Celebration Church pastor releases report he commissioned to dispute financial misconduct accusations
Read full article: Former Celebration Church pastor releases report he commissioned to dispute financial misconduct accusationsBehind a Jacksonville megachurch, a tangled web of money and power is now at the center of multiple lawsuits.
Who is the judge presiding over the contentious fight to redraw city council districts?
Read full article: Who is the judge presiding over the contentious fight to redraw city council districts?A distinguished judge with more than 30 years of law experience, Judge Marcia Morales Howard has the fate of more than 650,000 Jacksonville voters and about a million residents in her hands.
Key takeaways: Justice Department releases redacted Mar-a-Lago search affidavit
Read full article: Key takeaways: Justice Department releases redacted Mar-a-Lago search affidavitThe Justice Department on Friday released an affidavit explaining the justification for an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida earlier this month when agents removed top secret government records and other classified documents.
Ex-JEA CEO Zahn faces 25 years in prison for fraud, but first, a family trip to the Bahamas
Read full article: Ex-JEA CEO Zahn faces 25 years in prison for fraud, but first, a family trip to the BahamasAaron Zahn, the former CEO of the city-owned utility, will be permitted to go to the Bahamas next week on a family vacation. That has some wondering.
Judge grants appeal for ex-Jacksonville City Councilwoman Katrina Brown
Read full article: Judge grants appeal for ex-Jacksonville City Councilwoman Katrina BrownU.S. District Magistrate Judge James Clint also found that Katrina Brown was financially unable to get her own attorney so one will be appointed to represent her during the appeal. The charges resulted from government loans and grants to Katrina Brown’s family business. For Katrina Brown, the government wanted 4½ years in prison, three years of supervised release and $535,335 forfeited. After Monday’s hearing, Katrina Brown told News4Jax she was optimistic about the appeal. Curtis Fallgatter, who was Katrina Brown’s trial attorney, was allowed to withdraw from the case.
Katrina Brown & Reggie Brown asking for another sentencing delay
Read full article: Katrina Brown & Reggie Brown asking for another sentencing delayJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Attorneys for former Jacksonville City Council members Katrina and Reggie Brown have filed a motion asking that their upcoming sentencing, which is set for Oct. 27-29, be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the motion, attorneys for the Browns argue that the order prevents any in-person felony sentencings from taking place unless they’re done over video. The motion states that both defense attorneys are over 65, and Curtis Fallgatter, Katrina Brown’s attorney, previously had bypass surgery, putting him at high risk. It also mentions that Katrina Brown has moderate asthma, and Reggie Brown has high blood pressure, which led to his May 2018 stroke, putting them both at high risk. Sentencing was originally set for Jan. 27, but the hearing was postponed after Katrina Brown got a new attorney.
Judge told ex-teacher Tommy Hazouri Jr. has mental health issues
Read full article: Judge told ex-teacher Tommy Hazouri Jr. has mental health issuesWearing a red jumpsuit, which identifies him as a high-risk inmate, Hazouri, 40, told the judge he takes daily medication for those disorders. When asked, Hazouri couldn’t remember if he is being treated by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Right now, he’s not facing additional charges, but the charges are now more serious since the case has shifted to federal court. Since his medication and diagnoses were discussed at length Friday, News4Jax explored Hazouri’s mental health history. In a previous case against him in Escambia County, an ex-girlfriend told police Hazouri has threatened to hurt himself.
Will governor remove Darryl Daniels? Why charge him in the middle of an election?
Read full article: Will governor remove Darryl Daniels? Why charge him in the middle of an election?Many don’t believe it was a coincidence that it happened so close to election day. If you are Brad King, (the special prosecutor) appointed by the governor, why aren’t you having that conversation with the governor? “Let the governor exercise his constitutional right to remove a sheriff if the evidence is that strong. Make your prosecutorial decisions; make your decisions as a governor -- but mingling the two in the middle of an election is a rather unusual combination,” Falgatter said. And of course, if he loses the election, they don’t need to make that threat.
Sentencing for Katrina Brown & Reggie Brown delayed a 2nd time
Read full article: Sentencing for Katrina Brown & Reggie Brown delayed a 2nd timeJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A federal judge has agreed to a second delay for the sentencing of former Jacksonville City Council members Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown, after Reggie Brown got a new attorney. A jury found that Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown both used some of the money for personal use. Their sentencing was originally set for January 27, but it was pushed back in December, after Katrina Brown got a new attorney to represent her at sentencing. In one motion, Thomas Bell, Reggie Brown’s attorney, asked to withdraw from the case and be replaced by his new attorney, M. Alan Ceballos. Katrina Brown chose to represent herself at trial, then hired an attorney for sentencing, followed by Reggie Brown’s latest hiring of an attorney.
Will JEA investigations result in criminal charges against executives?
Read full article: Will JEA investigations result in criminal charges against executives?JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Now that city attorneys are saying former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn lied, withheld information and changed documents to benefit himself and other executives, are criminal charges next? Federal investigators are looking into JEA employees, former or present. During Tuesday’s intense JEA board meeting, city attorney’s accused Zahn of withholding important information that could have changed the course of the potential sale of JEA. They alluded to the behind the scenes deals underway that would have benefited Zahn, upper management and even former a former JEA board member. But in the slide actually presented to the JEA board last summer, it’s much different.
Sentencing hearing for Katrina & Reggie Brown to remain in March
Read full article: Sentencing hearing for Katrina & Reggie Brown to remain in MarchJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A federal judge has ruled that the sentencing for former city council members Katrina and Reggie Brown will remain in March, denying a request by prosecutors to move the hearing back to its original date of January 27, 2020. The charges stemmed from a federally backed loan and a city grant utilized by a barbecue sauce business owned by Katrina Brown’s family. A jury found that Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown both used some of the money for personal use. On Dec. 17, attorney and former federal prosecutor Curtis Fallgatter informed the court he was representing Katrina Brown for her sentencing proceedings. Fallgatter also filed a motion on Katrina Brown’s behalf asking for a continuance of the scheduled sentencing hearing, specifying a 60-day delay.
Attorney: Katrina Brown's gutsy' move may improve her odds with jury
Read full article: Attorney: Katrina Brown's gutsy' move may improve her odds with juryJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Former City Councilwoman Katrina Brown is rolling the dice by choosing to represent herself in her upcoming federal fraud trial. Fallgatter said there is one key point Katrina Brown may capitalize on serving as her own counsel. But prosecutors claim the business submitted fake invoices in order to get the federal loan money and Katrina Brown is to blame. Federal prosecutors have a 90% conviction rate, so it's likely to be an uphill battle for Katrina Brown. Katrina Brown has even filled out legal documents, saying he had no blame in the business going bad.