New Public Defender Charlie Cofer took office on Tuesday and he’s already shaking things up.
Cofer sat down only with Action News Jax on his first day.
The former circuit court judge has already re-hired four employees his predecessor, Matt Shirk, had fired just hours after losing his bid for re-election.
Public Defender Charlie Cofer re-hired all 4 people Matt Shirk fired the day after he lost his reelection bid. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/E25eJ1fGFM
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) January 3, 2017
Twelve people who worked for Shirk resigned, effective Cofer’s first day.
Some of those resignations were made by people who’d just been given big raises by Shirk two days after he lost his bid for re-election.
Cofer also fired three people, including Robbie Foster, who was the subject of an Action News Jax investigation last month.
City records showed Foster only swiped his badge at the office on 24 of the 71 work days after his salary nearly doubled.
Foster got his big raise two days after Shirk lost the primary election.
Foster said last month he didn’t think taxpayers cared if he showed up to the office.
“I really don’t think they give a (expletive),” said Foster.
Cofer said Foster showed up after noon on Tuesday, with moving boxes in hand.
“Oh, it’s absolutely necessary to change the culture. And I know I’ll be able to do that,” said Cofer. “I’m not looking back over how it got here anymore. I’m looking forward to getting it back where it needs to be.”
Cofer said he has an eight-page list of issues within the public defender’s office that need to be addressed. He said one priority is making sure attorneys have the resources to do their jobs.
Public defender Charlie Cofer fires Robbie Foster on his 1st day. See my @ActionNewsJax investigation on Foster: https://t.co/KTJIYzJJqZ pic.twitter.com/bVRM4NrCsT
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) January 3, 2017
Charlie Cofer says Robbie Foster showed up to work after noon, carrying moving boxes. Cofer fired Foster, 2 others on 1st day @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/8zznAxPOLz
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) January 3, 2017
New mission statement Public Defender Charlie Cofer distributed to staff on his 1st day. Replaces Matt Shirk. Watch @ActionNewsJax at 6. pic.twitter.com/BaJg1iFEEe
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) January 3, 2017