City Council President Kevin Carrico has been subpoenaed following the release of text messages referencing a “big favor” related to his recent nominee for JEA.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The State Attorney’s Office has launched an investigation centered on a JEA board nomination made by Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico.
A city spokesperson told First Coast News that Carrico’s office had received a subpoena related to recent text messages between Carrico and JEA Board Member Arthur Adams Jr.
The subpoena asks for “any form of written, oral, or electronic exchanges” from Carrico regarding the topic of JEA.
In the messages, Carrico said he would not be keeping Adams on the board because he wanted to give the position to someone he owed a “big favor” to. Adams had been appointed to the board for a partial term that began in January 2025, but said in the messages that he hoped to stay for a full term.
Carrico’s nominee to replace Adams was President and CEO Paul Martinez of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida, where Carrico also works. Martinez withdrew his name from consideration for the position within days of the text messages being released.
“Our office fully complies with and respects all records requests. We are cooperating and will respond to any additional requests as needed,” Carrico said in a statement.
Following the text message controversy and allegations of nepotism, Carrico made his own allegations of internal retaliation and racism at the utility by JEA CEO Vickie Cavey.
Former JEA Chief of Staff Kurt Wilson, whose position was eliminated last week, said she created a “fear-based culture” in the workplace. Vice Chair Rick Morales said he had asked Cavey to resign shortly before.
Despite the allegations, the JEA Board of Directors voted six to one on Tuesday to express confidence in Cavey’s leadership and did not vote on a motion from Morales to launch an independent outside review of JEA’s leadership practices.