TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Governor Ron DeSantis announced three new judicial appointments on Monday, filling vacancies in the Seventeenth, Eighteenth, and Twentieth Judicial Circuits. Each appointee brings extensive legal experience to their new roles.

The Appointees:

• Johnathan Lott, of Fort Lauderdale, appointed to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court:
  Lott has served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida since 2020. Before that, he was an Associate Attorney at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from the University of Chicago. Lott will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Murphy.
• Laura Moody, of Rockledge, appointed to the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court:
  Moody has been the Chief Legal Counsel for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office since 2019. Prior to that, she worked as an Assistant State Attorney in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. Moody holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and a juris doctor from Florida A&M University. She steps into the position left vacant by the retirement of Judge Maloney.
• Darrell Hill, of Labelle, appointed to the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court:
  Hill has served as a County Court Judge for Hendry County since 2018. Previously, he owned his private practice, Darrell R. Hill, P.A. Hill received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from the Cumberland School of Law. He fills the judicial vacancy created by the enactment of HB 5401.

Background on the Appointments
These judicial appointments highlight Governor DeSantis’ focus on selecting experienced professionals with a commitment to serving the public and the judiciary. The appointees will play a crucial role in their respective circuits, addressing the legal needs of Florida’s residents and upholding the law.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – A contentious debate continues to unfold in Orange County over the $2 million scholarship program created by Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean, using surplus funds from the 2023-2024 budget. County commissioners have accused Gilzean of overstepping his authority, temporarily halting funding for his office until he provides detailed financial records.

• Illegal Withholding Funds From Elections Office?

The fallout stems from Gilzean’s decision to allocate $4 million in leftover funds, which includes $1.1 million for general purposes and $2.1 million to Valencia College to establish the “Promise of the Future Scholarship” program for minority students in underserved communities. Gilzean defends the initiative, claiming it addresses systemic issues like voter apathy and lack of educational opportunities in low-income neighborhoods.

Commissioners argue the surplus should have either been returned to the county general fund or used to bolster the November elections.

Comptroller Phil Diamond has publicly accused Gilzean of withholding financial transparency, particularly regarding the $1.1 million.

However, Gilzean’s team rebutted this claim, releasing an email confirming that the requested records were sent to the Comptroller’s office a day before the public vote to cut funding.

Documents and donuts, both from 12/02/2024, are waiting for you at our office @OCFLMayor@occompt pic.twitter.com/bmCnOEAfJQ

— Orange County, FL SOE (@OCFElections) December 4, 2024

Care to correct the record, Mr. Mayor? @OCFLMayor @occompt pic.twitter.com/RytuuGHse2

— Orange County, FL SOE (@OCFElections) December 3, 2024

Scholarship’s Impact on Minority Communities

The scholarship program, aimed at Jones and Evans High School graduates and other select ZIP codes, offers tuition-free opportunities at Valencia College or Orange Technical College. Gilzean emphasized its dual goal: increasing civic engagement among youth and reducing financial barriers to higher education.

“In ZIP codes like the one where Jones High is located, less than 10% of residents vote,” Gilzean explained. “We need to break this cycle. If we can inspire these young people to be lifelong voters while giving them a debt-free path to college, that’s a win for our community.”

Critics, including Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, do not dispute the scholarship’s merit but argue that Gilzean overreached his constitutional authority by reallocating taxpayer dollars without county approval. The controversy has drawn attention to broader questions about the legal powers of constitutional officers in Florida and their fiscal autonomy.

Is Glen Gilzean a Visionary Leader or Overstepping Authority? Orange County Elections Scholarship Debate

Who Is Glen Gilzean?

A seasoned leader, Gilzean has a rich history of community advocacy. From serving as CEO of the Central Florida Urban League to chairing the Florida Commission on Ethics, his career is marked by initiatives focused on education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Programs like “Coffee with a Cop” and partnerships with the Small Business Administration highlight his commitment to minority empowerment.

Gilzean’s supporters argue that his actions reflect his lifelong mission to uplift disadvantaged communities, calling him a “community champion.” His detractors, however, claim that his recent decisions, while noble in intent, may violate procedural and legal standards.

Governor Jeb Bush (1999–2007)

• Role: Worked for the Florida Department of Education during the last year of Bush’s term.
• Contribution: Engaged in education-related policy initiatives.

Governor Rick Scott (2011–2019)

• Appointments:
  • Member, Pinellas County School Board (to fill a vacancy until the term ended).
  • Trustee, Florida A&M University Board of Trustees.
  • Member, Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.
• Contributions: Advocated for education reforms and judicial appointments in Central Florida.

Governor Ron DeSantis (2019–present)

• Appointments:
  • Florida Commission on Ethics (2019): Oversaw ethics compliance for public officials.
  • Member, Statewide Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census.
  • Member, Reopen Florida Task Force (post-COVID-19 lockdowns): Advocated for at-risk youth and economic recovery.
  • Chairman, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group: Focused on reducing recidivism among youth.
  • Chairman, Florida Commission on Ethics (reappointment).
  • District Administrator for Disney World’s Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board (2023).
  • Orange County Supervisor of Elections (appointment following the prior supervisor’s retirement, 2024).

Leadership and Impact

• Model Advocacies: Education, Employment, and Entrepreneurship (“Three E’s”) to address generational poverty.
• Community Initiatives: Programs like “Coffee with a Cop” for fostering trust between Black youth and law enforcement.
• Economic Partnerships: Signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the SBA for Opportunity Zones in Orlando.

Legal Authority and Responsibility

The dispute raises a pivotal legal question: Do constitutional officers like the Supervisor of Elections have the authority to independently reallocate budget surplus funds? County attorneys are currently exploring a potential lawsuit to recover the funds, which Gilzean maintains were legally allocated.

For now, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners faces scrutiny over its decision to cut off Gilzean’s funding, with community leaders urging a resolution that prioritizes the needs of minority students and voters.

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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
news@FloridaNationalNews.com

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – The Orange County Supervisor of Elections office has completed an unprecedented audit of the 2024 General Election, validating the results with an exceptional accuracy rate of 99.999%. Over 1.2 million individual ballot papers—spanning 613,491 votes—were reviewed in what is now the largest election audit in the county’s history.

While Florida state law mandates a limited post-election audit, the Supervisor of Elections went above and beyond, auditing all ballots cast. This marks the third election this year, including the PPP and City of Orlando District Five race, to undergo this rigorous process. All results were affirmed to be outside the 0.25% margin of error, demonstrating unmatched precision in the election process.

“This achievement reflects the dedication and precision of our entire team, including the thousands of temporary election workers who contributed to the largest election in county history,” said Glen Gilzean, Orange County Supervisor of Elections. “By auditing every single ballot, we’re not just meeting the standard; we’re setting it. Voters can have absolute confidence that every vote is accurately counted, and every outcome truly represents the will of the people. This unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity strengthens the foundation of our democracy.”

Orange County Supervisor of Elections Audits Over 1.2 Million Ballots; Certifies Accuracy Again

The Auditing Process

The Orange County audit is entirely independent and electronic, utilizing a state-certified audit scanning system. Each ballot tabulated during the election is rescanned to ensure consistent results. This dual-verification process reinforces public trust in the electoral system.

Empowering Voters, Enhancing Access: A Milestone in Electoral Transparency and Innovation

Historical Impact and Voter Empowerment

This comprehensive audit underscores Orange County’s commitment to electoral transparency, technological innovation, and voter confidence. The election office’s proactive measures serve as a model for other counties, demonstrating how investment in accuracy enhances democracy at every level.

By engaging in this exhaustive review process, the Orange County Supervisor of Elections is setting a gold standard in electoral management, proving that accountability and integrity remain at the heart of public service.