FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Protesters called on Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson to resign after two young men accused the mayor of making unwanted sexual advances.
The Lee County NAACP marched around City Hall ahead of Monday’s council meeting. Some people held signs that called the mayor a ‘predator’ as marchers chanted ‘Hell no, Kevin must go.’ Anderson the allegations.
Signs weren’t allowed in the meeting. But the calls for change continued. Neighbors asked the council to conduct an independent investigation and remove Anderson from office.
“Silence from this body indicates permission to the public,” said Denise Nystrom. “The oath you took was to protect the citizens of Fort Myers, not to shield any individual from scrutiny.”
The mayor was silent as he quickly walked into Monday’s meeting, ignoring questions from WINK Investigates Chief Reporter Chorus Nylander, who asked about Anderson’s recent resignations from local boards.
The mayor from the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools board on Monday, marking the fourth position he has stepped down from since the allegations surfaced.
City council members did not answer repeated questions from reporters before and after the meeting. Some, like Councilwoman Teresa Watkins Brown, silently got in her car and drove away.
Councilman Fred Burson angrily swatted away a WINK News reporter’s microphone. Councilwoman Darla Bonk yelled “leave us alone” after another reporter tried asking her questions.
Public speakers said elected leaders owed voters an explanation.
“Say something. Acknowledge something. There is things going on in this community,” said Jacqueline Perez. “One of you has to say something, for the love of God.”
Both of the young men who leveled accusations against the mayor showed up to City Hall on Monday.
that 18-year-old Florida Gulf Coast University student Dominic Hendricks previously alleged that Anderson sexually harassed him and solicited sex during a Fourth of July event at the downtown Centennial Amphitheater, with the interaction continuing at a local establishment.
Hendricks said he chose not to file a police report, opting instead to lodge a complaint with FGCU’s ethics office. He says FGCU did not move forward with an investigation because he’s not an FGCU employee.
Kagan Vann recounted an incident from Nov. 21, 2024, alleging that Anderson propositioned him for sex, offered money for sexual acts, and spiked his drink. Police body camera footage obtained by WINK Investigates from that evening shows Vann visibly intoxicated before being transported by emergency medical services.
Vann reported the alleged incident to the Fort Myers Police Department which referred the matter to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to avoid potential conflicts of interest. The FDLE subsequently closed the case without filing criminal charges.
The council did not take action or discuss the allegations. Hendricks said he was disappointed, but not surprised by Monday’s meeting.
“My message for the council is that they know what’s right,” Hendricks said. “They know that Anderson should be held accountable, and that further investigations to happen in the future.”