FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Residents seeking to address the local government were left stunned after the Fort Myers City Council meeting was abruptly brought to an end in the middle of public comment. The sudden adjournment came as community members and advocates renewed calls for Mayor Kevin Anderson to resign over sexual misconduct allegations.
Meeting Cut Short Following Council Walkout
The meeting came to an unexpected halt when Councilmembers Liston Bouchette, Fred Burson, and Darla Bonk walked out of the chamber, stripping the council of its required quorum. Mayor Anderson subsequently ordered an end to the proceeding.
The abrupt shutdown left numerous registered speakers unable to address the dais.
“I have spoken at every council meeting the last 14 months and have never seen this before,” said frequent attendee Kathryn Pogin.
Dominic Hendricks, one of two young men who previously came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Mayor Anderson, was next in line to speak when the walkout occurred.
“I think it’s a disrespect to the public to not listen to their public comment,” Hendricks said. “The allegations against Anderson are city business.”
Just before the meeting was disbanded, high school student Magdalena Sanchez addressed the council. Sanchez, a friend of Hendricks, told the council she could corroborate his account.
“I was surprised,” Sanchez said following the sudden end to the meeting. “I was looking forward to how this meeting would end—I never expected it to end this way.”
Councilmembers Avoid Questions as Tensions Mount
Following the walkout, Mayor Anderson exited the chambers without offering public comment. Councilwoman Bonk left through a side exit, while Councilmember Burson declined to comment.
When approached by Chief WINK Investigates reporter Chorus Nylander, Councilmember Bouchette deflected questions about the allegations, saying he’ll only speak about “city business.” When Nylander pushed back asking how such claims against the mayor aren’t city business, he said “goodbye” and walked away.
Mounting Pressure and Background of the Claims
Public pressure on Mayor Anderson has mounted across three consecutive council meetings. Community organizations, including the local branch of the NAACP, have joined residents in calling for the mayor to step down.
Before the meeting, Lee County NAACP President James Muwakkil led a protest outside calling on the mayor to resign.
Nylander heard from a source that Muwakkil was getting push back from the national NAACP organization for taking on the cause. Muwakkil confirmed that and said he would be pressing the issue with or without the NAACP.
The allegations first surfaced publicly during a September 21 meeting. Hendricks and another young man, Kagan Vann, alleged that Mayor Anderson made unwanted sexual advances and propositioned them.
Hendricks alleged an incident occurred during Fourth of July celebrations.Vann alleged an incident in November 2024, claiming the mayor spiked his drink at a local bar.
The claims were reported to the Fort Myers Police Department before being transferred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE investigation subsequently closed without filing criminal charges.
Mayor Maintains Denial
Mayor Anderson vehemently denied the claims during the initial September meeting.
“The claims are false and being used to paint a false narrative,” Anderson stated at the time.
The mayor has not spoken publicly about the allegations since that meeting, nor has he responded to repeated interview requests from WINK Investigates to provide further context. He has given no indication that he plans to resign or suspend his re-election campaign.
He has resigned from four board positions he held with the FGCU Alumni Association, Valerie’s House, United Way and Foundation for Lee County Public Schools.