The Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County are raising new concerns about Cindy Laquidara's appointment as general counsel and are now filing a lawsuit.
John Winkler, President of Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County has filed a lawsuit which claims the city didn't follow the appropriate procedure when appointing Laquidara as the general counsel.
He wants the court to declare her position as vacant and then have an entire new process to select a new General Counsel.
"Despite her claims to be the General Counsel, she has not in fact been the General Counsel."
Winkler claims she was appointed by then Mayor-elect Alvin Brown. He contends there was supposed to be a thorough procedure with regard to the appointment of General Counsel.
"There is a procedure that has to be followed under the Jacksonville City charter for the appointment of an acting General Counsel and another procedure for the appointment of General Counsel."
Winkler contends Laquidara never went through the procedure for appointment as general counsel.
"A selection committee is appointed by the mayor. That selection committee interviews appropriate lawyers as candidates for the position of general counsel. Three are recommended to the mayor. The mayor selects one of them for possible confirmation by the city council."
We reached out to Laquidara's office for her response. Her office referenced a letter dated in August of this year citing her legal opinion on the matter. In the opinion, Laquidara addresses concerns raised. She states a resolution passed by the council in June of 2011 was, in fact, sufficient for her appointment to general counsel. She also states the Mayor-Elect does have the power to introduce resolutions regarding appointments which become effective after July 1st.
WOKV news also obtained this statement from the mayor's office.
“General Counsel Cindy Laquidara has already addressed the question of her appointment in a comprehensive legal opinion.
Ms. Laquidara has three decades of legal experience, including more than fifteen years with the Office of General Counsel. She is board certified in local government law. Her peers have previously honored her as the Jacksonville Lawyer of the Year and the Jacksonville Woman Lawyer of the Year. Given her qualifications, legal skills and high standing in the legal community, it is little wonder that Florida Trend has repeatedly named Cindy Laquidara as one of our state's top government attorneys.
Since 2010, Cindy has ably served the City of Jacksonville – Mayors, Council members, constitutional officers, and independent authorities – as General Counsel. Mayor Brown looks forward to her continued service as the consolidated government’s chief attorney.”
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