City Council President Kevin Carrico has been subpoenaed following the release of text messages referencing a “big favor” related to his recent nominee for JEA.<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 The State Attorney’s Office has launched an investigation centered on a JEA board nomination made by Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico.<\/p>\n
A city spokesperson told First Coast News that Carrico’s office had received a subpoena related to recent text messages<\/a> between Carrico and JEA Board Member Arthur Adams Jr.<\/p>\n The subpoena asks for “any form of written, oral, or electronic exchanges” from Carrico regarding the topic of JEA.<\/p>\n In the messages, Carrico said he would not be keeping Adams on the board because he wanted to give the position to someone he owed a “big favor” to. Adams had been appointed to the board for a partial term that began in January 2025, but said in the messages that he hoped to stay for a full term.<\/p>\n Carrico’s nominee to replace Adams was President and CEO Paul Martinez of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida, where Carrico also works. Martinez withdrew his name from consideration for the position within days of the text messages being released.<\/p>\n \u201cOur office fully complies with and respects all records requests. We are cooperating and will respond to any additional requests as needed,” Carrico said in a statement.<\/p>\n Following the text message controversy and allegations of nepotism, Carrico made his own allegations of internal retaliation and racism<\/a> at the utility by JEA CEO Vickie Cavey.<\/p>\n Former JEA Chief of Staff Kurt Wilson, whose position was eliminated last week, said she created a “fear-based culture” in the workplace. Vice Chair Rick Morales said he had asked Cavey to resign shortly before.<\/p>\n