FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A St. Lucie County jury convicted former Fort Pierce City Manager Nick Mimms of official misconduct Thursday, finding he improperly obstructed, delayed or prevented information about a possible felony involving the city from being communicated.
Jurors found Mimms not guilty of bid tampering, the first count he faced. But they found him guilty on the official-misconduct count and specifically determined the misconduct involved obstructing, delaying or preventing communication of information related to a possible felony that directly involved or affected the government entity he served.
The verdict followed a trial that began Sept. 29 and centered on allegations that Mimms improperly influenced the city’s bidding process for two vacant Lincoln Park-area lots.
Prosecutors alleged Mimms steered the process toward Lincoln Park Young Professionals, a nonprofit whose board included his niece and another city employee. The organization sought a lease involving the properties, near the Lincoln Theater.
During trial, FDLE Agent Derek Brisky testified about emails, city records and the request-for-proposals process. Prosecutors pointed to communications showing Mimms continued to discuss the RFP’s evaluation criteria and committee after the matter had been referred to the city’s purchasing department.
The defense argued the purchasing department controlled the RFP’s publication and administration, and challenged the state’s claim that the process amounted to an improper sole-source arrangement.
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Court records show Circuit Judge Michael James Linn denied the state’s request to have Mimms taken into custody pending sentencing. Mimms was allowed to remain free on bond.
Sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 11 in St. Lucie County Circuit Court.