PORT ST. LUCIE – Port St. Lucie Police is investigating two separate incidents regarding campaign signs for the city’s mayoral seat.
On Aug. 5, near the intersection of Southwest Airoso Boulevard and Southwest Thanksgiving Avenue, Port St. Lucie, a sergeant saw Steven Giordano, one of three candidates for the office of mayor, and an unidentified woman near political campaign signs at a home, according to police reports.
The sergeant started an investigation after discovering one campaign sign on the ground, while another was placed in the yard.
As part of the investigation, detectives reviewed surveillance video, which appears to show Giordano and the woman arrive at the residence and go to the campaign signs displayed in the yard, according to police reports. The video also shows the woman removing a campaign sign supporting Mayor Shannon Martin and putting a different campaign sign in the yard, according to police reports.
Detectives have collected the video evidence and are evaluating it in conjunction with statements, physical evidence, and all other information gathered during the investigation, according to police reports.
Officers and detectives are working to determine whether the movement or replacement of the campaign signs was authorized by the property owner at the time the incident occurred.
In a separate incident on Aug. 7, near Southwest Airoso Boulevard and Southwest Thornhill Drive, officers responded to a disturbance involving placement of political campaign signs.
Upon investigating, officers learned through video surveillance that Aaron Martin — a lieutenant in the city’s police force and husband of the current mayor — and Giordano were arguing over placement and movement of signs at a nearby home.
Investigators also interviewed the homeowners and learned that both residents believed they had separately granted permission for campaign signs to be placed on the property, according to police reports.
During the investigation, officers determined that one homeowner gave permission for one campaign’s sign, while another resident of the home, who has limited English proficiency, separately gave permission to individuals associated with the opposing campaign.
Investigators believe this language barrier contributed to a misunderstanding as to which campaign signs were authorized to be displayed and whether previously placed signs could be moved or replaced, according to police reports.
At this time, there is no indication that any campaign signs associated with this incident were stolen or intentionally damaged, according to police reports.
Information related to the placement of the campaign signs also was forwarded to the City of Port St. Lucie Code Compliance for review, as appropriate.
Candidates for mayor of Port St. Lucie are Giordano; Shannon Martin; and Eric Strazzeri.