Scott Maddox, former Tallahassee mayor and Tallahassee commissioner, was suspended by Governor Rick Scott after being arrested on a 44-count federal indictment earlier this month. In an executive order, Governor Scott said that it was “in the best interests of the residents of the city of Tallahassee and the citizens of the state of Florida” for Maddox to be removed from office.
Along with Paige Carter-Smith, a longtime friend and business partner of Maddox, he was indicted on a pay-to-play scheme that involved everything from bank fraud, bribery, extortion, making false statements and even filing false tax returns. The most serious charges that they both face carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
As a result of being removed from office, the hunt is on to find a replacement for Maddox as they have 20 days to find a replacement until he’s either reinstated or his term comes to a close on November 16th, 2020. However, the hunt might be nearing its end.
Receiving an endorsement from 3 of the 4 commissioners that remain in office, Tabitha Frazier, an environmentalist who created her own nonprofit organization to help save trees, is currently in first place to replace Maddox.
The commission undergoing the concern has chosen to hold a special meeting on New Year’s Eve to choose a replacement. And, if a choice is not made by January 1st, then the commission gives up the authority to fill the vacancy to the governor, which would still be Governor Rick Scott because he has chosen to serve his full term before Governor-elect Ron DeSantis takes office.
Speaking of Tallahassee, Tabitha praises the city, saying that “Tallahassee is a great city and its important that elected leaders create and encourage transparent, ethical, and honorable initiatives that sustain and encourage an urban environment where people want to live and work.”
