JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 City Council President Kevin Carrico has confirmed to News4JAX that the city\u2019s Inspector General is looking into \u201cserious allegations\u201d against JEA, adding a new layer to weeks of public sparring between the utility and City Hall.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I have said for several weeks, there is a crisis of confidence at JEA. I am very concerned to hear that the Inspector General is now looking into serious allegations related to the utility,\u201d Carrico said. \u201cThe people of Jacksonville deserve transparency, accountability, and clear answers, and the Council will be carefully reviewing the Inspector General\u2019s findings.\u201d<\/p>\n
MORE: Jacksonville City Council president issued subpoena after controversial \u2018big favor\u2019 text sent to JEA board member<\/a> | Vice chair passed over as JEA committee chooses next year\u2019s Board leaders amid swirling controversies<\/a> | Council president tells JEA board member he\u2019s replacing him because he owed a \u2018big favor\u2019 to his boss, texts show<\/a><\/p>\n Text messages that emerged in recent days put JEA and City Hall in the spotlight. The messages included an exchange in which Council President Kevin Carrico told a current board member he planned to replace him \u201cas a big favor,\u201d and Carrico has since been the subject of a subpoena from the state attorney\u2019s office for communications related to the utility.<\/p>\n The turmoil included the withdrawal of Carrico\u2019s original nominee, Paul Martinez, and public allegations of toxic leadership at JEA. Board member Rick Morales confirmed at a recent meeting that he had conversations with CEO Vickie Cavey about her stepping down; the board ultimately decided to back Cavey. <\/p>\n