{"id":169328,"date":"2026-02-25T23:33:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T23:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/169328\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T23:33:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T23:33:07","slug":"jacksonville-city-council-president-issued-subpoena-after-controversial-big-favor-text-sent-to-jea-board-member","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/169328\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville City Council president issued subpoena after controversial \u2018big favor\u2019 text sent to JEA board member"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico told News4JAX on Wednesday that he has been issued a subpoena about a week after text messages revealed that he planned to nominate his boss for a position on JEA\u2019s board because he owed them a \u201cbig favor.\u201d<\/a> <\/p>\n

The subpoena, which was issued by the State Attorney\u2019s Office, states that he must turn over records such as his daily calendar entries from Jan. 1, 2025, through Feb. 24, and must also include a myriad of communications records within the same time period. <\/p>\n

Those communication records include, but are not limited to, emails, texts, direct messages, letters, faxes, handwritten notes and any other correspondence that related to the appointment of a JEA board member, JEA CEO Vickie Cavey, former JEA chief of staff Kurt Wilson, and Paul Martinez, the man whom Carrico was slated to give the JEA board position to. <\/p>\n

Martinez is the current president and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, where Carrico works as the vice president of strategic initiatives.<\/p>\n

Carrico said he received the request on Tuesday night and says he plans to cooperate fully. He added that the situation is a part of restoring trust in the public utility and the board appointment process.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, that\u2019s not a surprise that as much as the media has covered this text message thread between me and the former or the current JEA board member,\u201d Carrico told News4JAX. <\/p>\n

He continued, \u201cSo you know when those words are put out there that I\u2019ve already owned up to and saying that it was just kind of passive language and saying that it was a favor. This state attorney has the obligation to look into that and see if there really was some kind of actual favor, transactional favor, which, of course, there wasn\u2019t. So we\u2019re happy to comply with this records request and give them all the information they need. Just so we can, we can clear it up and say there was indeed no favor and this is just my poor use of language and saying that I owe him a favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The council president went on to say to provide more context for the message that sparked the entire ordeal. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a favor…There\u2019s a good person wanting to do service, and he asked me, you know, years back, \u2018Hey. If there\u2019s any time where a seat came open that I could lend my expertise and continue to serve the city, then I would love to be able to participate in that.\u2019 It just came up. I was like, this could be a good place for you to serve, so that\u2019s the gist of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also attributed some of the controversy to his more casual form of conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the the first millennial to ever be the council president…I talk a little different and have more of a casual, laid-back collegial tone to my conversation so people that don\u2019t understand me and my personality might see the word favor\u2019 and really think there\u2019s something there, but you know, unfortunately I use that in a way that I shouldn\u2019t have and put it in a text message…We\u2019re going to clear it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving forward, Carrico said he doesn\u2019t want to place any additional scrutiny on the person that does eventually fill the vacant JEA board seat, and is happy to comply with whatever the State Attorney\u2019s Office has asked him to submit. <\/p>\n

\u201cI still have someone to appoint to that board…We need a good person in there and I don\u2019t want them to come under any scrutiny or think that there\u2019s some favors owed,\u201d he said. \u201c[I\u2019m] still trying to get in contact with their current board chair and see what his decision is and what he\u2019s looking to do…If we need to do a special investigative committee, then we\u2019ll do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, when asked if favors have a place in government, Carrico said, \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t pay anyone back for anything; they should be appointed on their merits… I believe Mr. Martinez has all the merits and all the credibility in this community to have been able to serve the JEA board.\u201d<\/p>\n

News4JAX contacted the State Attorney\u2019s Office for a response on the subpoena, and received the following: <\/p>\n

As with all inquiries of this nature, we can neither confirm nor deny the presence of an investigation.<\/p>\n

Below is a timeline of how the situation has evolved since it began earlier this month. <\/p>\n

Feb. 5: Texts about a \u201cbig favor\u201d<\/p>\n

The controversy began with text messages between Carrico and JEA board member Arthur Adams.<\/p>\n

In the exchange, Carrico told Adams he planned to replace him and wrote that he \u201cowed a big favor.\u201d And had to do it for \u201cmy guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adams replied: \u201cMy plan was to stay\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

After an apparent phone call, Adams later texted that he was disappointed, but added, \u201cI respect your decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Feb. 10: Legislation introduced to replace Adams<\/p>\n

A resolution was introduced to confirm Carrico\u2019s appointment of Martinez to the JEA governing body, replacing Adams.<\/p>\n

Martinez is the President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida. That\u2019s where Carrico also serves as the VP of strategic initiatives.<\/p>\n

Feb. 18: Carrico defends his choice; mayor\u2019s office declines comment<\/p>\n

As questions mounted about the text messages and the appointment process, Carrico defended the pick in a statement.<\/p>\n

Carrico said, \u201cThe decision speaks for itself,\u201d and said Martinez was appointed based on qualifications and a longstanding commitment to Jacksonville, citing Martinez\u2019s role leading the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida.<\/p>\n

The mayor\u2019s office declined to comment at the time.<\/p>\n

Feb. 18: Martinez withdraws<\/p>\n

Later that same day, Martinez withdrew from consideration.<\/p>\n

\u201cI respect Paul Martinez\u2019s decision and thank him for his decades of service to Jacksonville,\u201d Carrico wrote in a statement. His leadership of one of the top-performing Boys & Girls Clubs organizations in the nation, serving 18,000 local children annually across 59 locations, speaks for itself. It\u2019s unfortunate that political noise and unfair attacks sought to distract from a lifetime of service, but our community continues to benefit from his leadership and commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Feb. 19: Carrico raises leadership allegations; chief of staff let go<\/p>\n

Carrico then shifted focus to leadership inside JEA.<\/p>\n

News4JAX contacted Carrico on to ask more questions about the \u201cbig favor\u201d he was referencing in the text message. The councilman didn\u2019t address that question directly, but instead sent a statement that made serious allegations and questioned the leadership of JEA CEO Vickie Cavey.<\/p>\n

In a statement, Carrico said he had received calls and met with JEA employees raising allegations including racism and a toxic corporate culture tied to the CEO. He said he expected to announce another name for the open board seat \u201cin the coming days.\u201d<\/p>\n

That same night, JEA employees were informed Chief of Staff Kurt Wilson was let go, according to information shared with News4Jax.<\/p>\n

Wilson has a connection to former mayor Lenny Curry.<\/p>\n

In 2015, Curry appointed Wilson as Director and Fire Chief.<\/p>\n

Carrico addressed Wilson\u2019s departure, and a report from the Florida Times-Union that said JEA Vice Chair Rick Morales asked Cavey this week to step down from her post.<\/p>\n

Feb. 20: Mayor, JEA board chair and CEO respond publicly<\/p>\n

On Friday, Mayor Donna Deegan appeared alongside JEA board chair Joe DiSalvo and Cavey in a joint press conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is now a calculated initiative to intimidate our CEO and myself into resigning,\u201d DiSalvo said.<\/p>\n

Deegan called the situation a \u201cvile smear campaign,\u201d and said it escalated after Cavey resisted pressure to renew a lobbying contract with politically connected people.<\/p>\n

Deegan and Cavey did not name the lobbying firm, and Cavey denied the existence of a \u201cpressure campaign,\u201d but Cavey did say that JEA ended its contract with the firm on Jan. 31 because JEA was not using its services.<\/p>\n

State lobbying records show that lobbyists with Ballard Partners were registered to lobby for JEA, but in the fourth quarter of 2025, Ballard Partners was not compensated by JEA for any state lobbying activities.<\/p>\n

According to Ballard Partners\u2019 website, two partners are assigned to the Jacksonville office: Former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Jordan Elsbury, Curry\u2019s former Chief of Staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis vile smear campaign magically appeared after [Cavey] resisted pressure to renew a lobbying contract with people who are politically connected to a handful of council members, including our council president,\u201d Deegan said.<\/p>\n

Deegan also tied the issue back to Jacksonville\u2019s last JEA scandal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe JEA scheme was the biggest corruption scandal in Jacksonville\u2019s history,\u201d Deegan said.<\/p>\n

Cavey addressed leadership and workplace culture concerns, saying she would not comment on personnel issues publicly and adding:<\/p>\n

\u201cRacism has no place anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mullaney said the press conference was a forceful defense of Cavey, but noted that key questions remain.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we stand here today I don\u2019t think we have a clear picture or a full picture of exactly what has happened and why,\u201d Mullaney said.<\/p>\n

Following the news conference, Carrico sent a statement to News4JAX and said the \u201cfrantic press conference\u201d showed there is a \u201cgrowing crisis of confidence at JEA.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is most troubling is Mayor Deegan\u2019s direct involvement in what is supposed to be an independent authority,\u201d Carrico wrote. \u201cJEA was deliberately structured to operate free from political pressure, yet we are now seeing an unmistakable attempt to inject mayoral influence into decisions that belong to its independent leadership and board. When the independence of our public utility is compromised, every ratepayer should be alarmed – especially given the painful lessons from the attempted sale of JEA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carrico called for all communications between the Mayor\u2019s Office, Cavey, their staff, and JEA leadership over the past 60 days to be immediately preserved and made public.<\/p>\n

Feb. 24: JEA\u2019s former chief of staff accuses CEO of creating \u2018fear-based culture,\u2019 CEO calls claims \u2018unsubtantiated\u2019<\/p>\n

Tuesday\u2019s JEA board meeting kicked off with public comment from former JEA\u2019s Chief of Staff Kurt Wilson, whose position was recently eliminated. <\/p>\n

During his comment, Wilson slammed CEO Vickie Cavey, whom he accused of creating a \u201cpattern of behavior and culture that harms employees and is toxic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cavey responded to the allegations, calling them \u201cunsubstantiated\u201d and \u201cfalse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy leadership style is rigorous, and it is fair, consistent and grounded in respect. I hold senior leaders to high standards because JEA\u2019s mission is critical,\u201d Cavey said during Tuesday\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n

Feb 24: Carrico addresses \u2018big favor\u2019 wording; says there is \u2018no quid pro quo\u2019<\/p>\n

Carrico spoke with News4JAX after a day of tense public meetings, saying he watched the JEA board meeting and was \u201ca little taken aback\u201d that the board did not immediately move toward an outside investigation.<\/p>\n

He went on to address the text messages that sparked the entire ordeal, saying that he believed that the situation was \u201cblown out of proportion.\u201d <\/p>\n

It\u2019s just my incorrect use of passive language and using the word \u201dfavor” loosely… Let me be clear on that and definitive. There is no quid pro quo. There\u2019s no raise. There\u2019s no additional things that my CEO has offered me to sit on a volunteer board.”<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a poor use of the word in my case so I have to own up to that but there is no favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carrico also said the JEA board seat remains open after the withdrawal of Paul Martinez, the nominee he had backed. Carrico said he is looking at \u201call options\u201d for the full-term appointment, including the possibility of reappointing Adams, and said he expects scrutiny no matter who is selected.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll possibilities are still open right now,\u201d Carrico said, adding that he wants to nominate \u201ca true community leader that people trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Happens Next?<\/p>\n

News4JAX Political Analyst Ricky Mullaney said the next phase of this situation could include more scrutiny \u2014 and possibly an investigation \u2014 depending on the seriousness of the allegations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s going to have to be a little bit of a further investigation,\u201d Mullaney said, adding that it \u201cmay involve the inspector general for the city of Jacksonville…potentially even the state attorney\u2019s office in the grand jury investigation because one of the things is for sure. When you get that subpoena before the grand jury it has and shine a spotlight on something it can affect behavior and that also can lead to accountability.\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n

He also noted that JEA board appointments \u2014 typically low-profile \u2014 are now drawing public attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cTypically, those board appointments are relatively invisible, but what\u2019s happened this week has made them very visible,\u201d Mullaney said.<\/p>\n

Carrico still needs to name a new nominee for the open JEA board seat, and Adams\u2019 term ends Feb. 28.<\/p>\n

He said he plans to do that in the coming days.<\/p>\n

Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico told News4JAX on Wednesday that he has been issued…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":169329,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[116,118,117,501,5896],"class_list":["post-169328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville-headlines","tag-jacksonville-news","tag-jea","tag-kevin-carrico"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/169328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=169328"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/169328\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/169329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=169328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=169328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=169328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}