Tampa, Florida -- 10 Investigates has learned that State Ethics Commission is holding a probable cause hearing on an ethics complaint against Hillsborough Commissioner Ken Hagan.
The complaint, which was filed by community activist George Neimann, alleges Hagan did not fill out his financial disclosure forms correctly from 2002 through 2013.
According to the complaint, Hagan doesn't list where the money in his investment and retirement accounts are invested. Neimann maintains without that information, it defeats the purpose of financial disclosure so that citizens can be aware of any conflict on issues an elected official is voting on.
Neimann calls Hagan's lack of financial disclosure a "not-so-clever game of cat and mouse, omitting crucial financial information, waiting to see if it would be discovered." He adds, "This kind of thing destroys public trust in officials."
When we contacted Hagan's office to get his take, we were told the Commissioner had be notified of the probable cause hearing and would not have a comment until he knows more.
Cases don't go before the ethics commission for a probable cause hearing until an investigator looks into the matter and decides it is worth pursuing. If the commission votes for a probable cause conviction, the accused official can try to fight it or sign a consent order, which is an admission of wrongdoing that could include a fine.
The issue will be heard by the Florida Ethics Commission Friday, December 12 at the Commission meeting in Tallahassee.
