{"id":434628,"date":"2026-10-22T09:12:24","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T09:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/434628\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T09:12:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T09:12:24","slug":"winter-park-commissioner-accepts-magic-tickets-before-vote-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/434628\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Park commissioner accepts Magic tickets before vote"},"content":{"rendered":"

WINTER PARK, Fla. \u2014 A Winter Park commissioner accepted five Orlando Magic tickets before voting on a proposed synagogue and residential development, according to records obtained by Channel 9.<\/p>\n

Text messages show Commissioner Elizabeth Ingram thanked Chabad of Greater Orlando for the game invitation and offered to meet about the synagogue proposal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a great time at the Magic game thanks again. I would be happy to meet with you to discuss the synagogue,\u201d Ingram wrote.<\/p>\n

The messages also included feedback on building designs and arrangements for a meeting.<\/p>\n

Proposal could displace residents<\/p>\n

Chabad of Greater Orlando is seeking approval to redevelop the El Cortez Apartments property with a synagogue and five townhomes. City records show plans also include using the facility for prayer services and a daycare.<\/p>\n

The congregation has been without a permanent place of worship since a 2024 fire.<\/p>\n

A possible final vote on the proposal is expected next week.<\/p>\n

Resident Joel Greenfield said the prospect of losing his home has left him anxious. He described a neighborhood where his son enjoys playing at the playground.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a letdown. It\u2019s concerning,\u201d Greenfield said.<\/p>\n

At a public meeting, Chabad representative Sholom Dubov described the proposed facility as a place where people in the local community could learn and participate.<\/p>\n

Commissioner disclosed tickets after city learned of gift<\/p>\n

Section 1.03 of Winter Park\u2019s Code of Ethics for City Officers<\/a> prohibits commissioners and their relatives from soliciting or accepting gifts from anyone who does business or is known to be seeking business with the city. The provision does not list a dollar threshold or a friendship exception.<\/p>\n

Separately, Florida\u2019s gift-reporting law<\/a>, Section 112.3148(7)(h), provides that admission tickets are valued at face value or on a daily or per-event basis, whichever is greater.<\/p>\n

Ingram acknowledged receiving the five tickets in a disclosure filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics.<\/p>\n

A city spokesperson said Ingram disclosed the gift last week after city officials learned about the tickets and consulted the city attorney.<\/p>\n

The records described do not establish that the tickets influenced her vote or that an ethics violation has been formally determined.<\/p>\n

Ingram says tickets were unrelated to commission decisions<\/p>\n

In a written response to Channel 9, Ingram said her family attended an Orlando Magic game using complimentary tickets provided through a friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was never any expectation or understanding that these tickets were connected to my responsibilities or decisions as a Commissioner,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n

Ingram said that, at the filing deadline, she did not believe the gift\u2019s value exceeded $100 because her friend had received the tickets for free.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, upon recommendation of the City Attorney and in the interest of full disclosure, I filed the Form 9 even though I do not know the actual face value of the tickets received,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

TOP STORIES FROM WFTV CHANNEL 9<\/p>\n

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