![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/cmg\/VNSAH6LKURG2VBPYTQMANTW22M.png\")
<\/p>\nJACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Action News Jax Ben Becker has learned that Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee Chair Raul Arias is stepping down from his leadership role, effective immediately.<\/p>\n
The move comes in the wake of an Action News Jax investigation into Arias\u2019 business dealings.<\/p>\n
Council president issues immediate leadership change<\/p>\n
A memo distributed Friday night by Council President Kevin Carrico announced that he had accepted Arias\u2019 request to relinquish his role as Finance Committee Chair. In the memo, Carrico wrote:<\/p>\n
\u201cI have accepted Council Member Raul Arias\u2019 request to step down as Chair of the Finance Committee. To ensure continuity and keep our budget and legislative work on track, I am appointing Council Member Joe Carlucci to serve as Chair. These changes are effective immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carrico added that he remains committed to maintaining \u201cthe highest standards of transparency and integrity\u201d as the Council continues its work.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Council President Kevin Carrico’s memo <\/p>\n
Chair of the Finance Committee, one of the most powerful bodies in city government responsible for Jacksonville\u2019s budgetary decisions.<\/p>\n
Arias does remain on the City Council.<\/p>\n
Investigative findings spark scrutiny<\/p>\n
Over the past month, Action News Jax\u2019s Becker has uncovered a series of business dealings involving Arias. Among them: Arias helped steer a $100,000 grant to a nonprofit outside his district<\/a>, then recommended the organization hire a company he previously owned \u2013 Bold City Media<\/a>. Additionally, records show his family was paid $35,000 to work Council President Carrico\u2019s installation ceremony<\/a>, and the two men briefly operated a foundation that carried both of their names.<\/a> These revelations have intensified scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest inside City Hall.<\/p>\n In addition, Action New Jax reported in August Arias owed nearly $70,000<\/a> in unpaid property taxes from 2023 and 2024 for his Mambos restaurant on Beach Boulevard and a former Denny\u2019s property, which he subsequently paid after our report.<\/p>\n Action News Jax has reached out to both Raul Arias and the Mayor\u2019s Office for comment and are awaiting responses.<\/p>\n >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<<\/a><\/p>\n [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks<\/a>]<\/p>\n