Those who have been at the receiving end of her haughty wrath, her accusations, her distortions, her denigrations, her contempt for law and reckless disregard for the truth–like her perennial target County Attorney Al Hadeed and several former county commissioners–might be wondering where this Kimberle Weeks had been hiding all these years: the Kimberle Weeks who late Sunday submitted a letter to county and state officials fawning with regret, qualified apologies, a bit of contrition and other forms of mea culpa that until Sunday had seemed to her as foreign as courtesy. “If I could turn back time I sincerely would,” Weeks wrote.
Lacking from the letter was an actual apology about her own actions or concessions that she had been wrong to file the legal actions that defamed people like Hadeed and former Commissioner Charlie Ericksen, hijacked untold hours of work and attention from county officials and caused immense anxiety for those she’d targeted. One characteristic her letter did not lack: it is still all about Weeks–what “an emotional torment to me going through this ordeal” it has been, how financially ruinous it has been to her, how yet another court judgment against her “can destroy one’s credit and ability to borrow in cases of emergency as we grow older and are approaching retirement age.”
Yet Weeks, who remains on felony probation on a separate case, still does not see the complaints she filed with the Florida Ethics Commission as anything less than “honorable.” “In filing the complaints,” she wrote, “I meant no harm or malice towards Mr. Hadeed or Mr. Ericksen when filing the complaints, I simply was trying to do an honorable job as a public elected official, and I am sorry for any stress and emotional effects you have endured from these filings.”
As County Commission Chairman Donald O’Brien put it this morning, “this letter is really an insult to my intelligence to Mr. Erickson’s intelligence and a lot of other people’s.”
“I would I feel a little softer about it if she apologized, but she didn’t,” Commissioner Greg Hansen said.
But Weeks, the former supervisor of elections, appears to be past the end of her rope, financially, and facing the “devastating” judgment (in her word) of owing the county $129,600 plus 6.83 percent interest, which may total in attorneys’ fees because of her frivolous and false accusations, and an April 8 court date where she could face the possibility of more severe penalties if she continued to leave the bill unpaid–she served a month’s jail time last summer on a separate set of felony convictions for her criminal contempt of the law)–she chose this 11th hour to come pleading.
Unable to pay anywhere close to the money she owes, she is begging the county and the state to agree to her settlement offer: $20,000, which she said she would borrow immediately after the settlement may be agreed to. She also asked for a 10-day extension of the April 8 hearing in Leon County Circuit Court, where the Attorney General’s case against her for the money owed has been unfolding. Weeks prepared the letter after speaking with Hadeed by phone Saturday–itself an extraordinary move on Weeks’s part, considering to what extent she’d vilified him publicly and privately over the years.
County commissioners weren’t impressed this morning.
“I have a problem with this,” Hansen said, “because regardless what she says here, those three individuals were very vindictive. They were very hurtful to this community. And they did it on purpose and they did it with malice and forethought and they hurt this they hurt our county, significantly.” Weeks had operated in concert with Dennis McDonald, the perennial candidate for local office and critic of city and county government, and Mark Richter Jr., the son of a former candidate for the commission. McDonald and Richter both face similar judgments through Attorney General suits, for similarly large sums of money owed the county. The difference is that Leon County Circuit Court has already entered judgments against McDonald and Richter. It has not yet done so against Weeks. But reaching a settlement with Weeks could set a precedent that the other two could then seek for themselves.
In Weeks’s case, the Attorney general would have to agree to the settlement. But Hadeed said the AG’s office “would seriously consider whatever decision” the commission reached.
“It’s not so much the money here, that I see this as a problem. We’re kind of giving her get out of jail, figuratively and court with this,” Commissioner Dave Sullivan said. “And she had numerous times over the last five years to try and have backed out of this and and gotten a much easier way out. She fought this all along with lawyers and every possible way she could. Just because she says they don’t have any money, did we check that? I mean, do we do we know for sure?” Sullivan considers Weeks’s plea of poverty dubious, along with her mea culpas. “So, it would be very hard for me to do anything. I don’t see her admitting guilt here, either. And what she said,” he continued, “it basically says I’m sorry this happened. Basically she’s literally saying, and I’d like it to end now. And I understand her position now, but she’s had years to have taken this this stand, if she had felt sorry about what happened. So, right now, I know it’s hard, but I don’t see any way based on the history I have with this which is pretty close history since this started. I don’t see any way I can go along with this.”
O’Brien agreed with Sullivan’s interpretation of the letter, recalling Weeks’s “malice” and “forethought” over the years, resulting in an offer that “in no way, in my opinion, can compensate the county for the time of the legal staff.”
“Having said that,” O’Brien said, “you know I fall back also on my Christian teaching of mercy and I’m totally conflicted about what to do on this and, you know, aggravated about it and don’t know what else to say.” He was inclined to “sleep on it for a while.”
Not yet near consensus, it was left up to Commissioner Andy Dance to craft an approach. “Part of me would like to see this put to rest and and put behind us,” he said. But he wasn’t thrilled by Weeks’s 11th-hour tactic, which left her driving the agenda. “This is their first offer, so I’m of the opinion that we take it back to them, due to the significant amount of difference between the numbers you’ve put together.” He would have liked to see a spreadsheet breakdown of the county’s costs–and a second offer.
That clarified it for O’Brien, who saw “no consensus” to agree. The vote to reject the offer was unanimous. They’ll wait for a second offer and more clarity on the numbers.
“These cases are intended to recover in the name of the county. The amount of funds and effort that it expended based upon a state statutory provision for the assessment of fees and costs for having filed ethics complaints that were dismissed on the merits, in other words, there was a ruling against the veracity of the allegations,” Hadeed told county commissioners. “And that were determined by the court by the Ethics Commission and the reviewing administrative law judge that were filed without reasonable basis, and that were filed for the purpose of maliciously maligning the individuals named,” himself included.
In late July Weeks was sentenced for the second time on the state’s felony case against her, stemming from her illegal recordings of state and local officials. She had been sentenced to seven felony counts in 2018. An appeal reduced the counts to five, and she was re-sentenced accordingly. She had to serve a month in jail (having served one day in jail previously, which she was credited), followed by 18 months’ probation, which she is still serving. According to her state prison record, her scheduled probation termination date is January 27, 2022, though she may be eligible for early termination.
The conviction and felony status meant that Weeks lost her state pension after working for the county for many years–at the Sheriff’s Office, for the Clerk of Court, and serving as the Supervisor of Elections, winning reelection once but resigning in January 2015, halfway through her second term and as the noose of what would become the criminal case against her was tightening.
In November, Weeks attempted to “mitigate” her sentence, arguing in a motion, through her attorney, that the charges against her should have been second-degree misdemeanors, because she didn’t have a criminal record before.
Circuit Judge Margaret Hudson denied the motion.
Peaches McGee says
You played,
you lost,
you pay.
Fredrick says
So good to see KImmy back in the news again. Flagler politics just is not the same without her.
Sick of Politics in this Country! says
Nice try Kimbo. Thanks for playing. You are getting everything you deserve, possibly less than what you deserve for the egregious things you did. I have zero sympathy for your plight – one you put yourself into. It is also the first time I can say I agree with anything this County Commission has done of late, to actually deny the paltry offer. For once they did something worthwhile.
Unimpressed says
I sincerely hope they don’t let her off the hook for the full amount owed. It truly would set a precedent that would be hard to walk back in the future. She is responsible for the mess she’s in and should be held accountable. The commission would be stupid to cave…..
Steve says
Talk about a low ball offer right.? At some point get what you can it’s better than nothing. While you all are at it make foul mouthed old McDonald pay his 80 thousand.
Voter says
Anyone can claim anything, let’s see some numbers and facts. Why did Dance have to say he would like to see some numbers, when he should have already had them, and been on top of this. Why has Hadeed not kept the board informed of all the details? Seems like he pushes his own agenda and talks only about what he wants the board to know. I’m shocked the board doesn’t ask more questions rather than make so many comments. And when they do ask questions they are not answered. Dance asked Hadeed about numbers and never got and answer. Don’t move on until you get an answer! I have noticed the county attorney talks in riddles and never gives direct answers – that’s troublesome.
Jane Gentile-Youd says
With all due respect Flagler County did not spend more than $5,000; Charlie Ericksen didn’t ‘incur one dime out of pocket, neither did Al Hadeed . FACT: The county’s insurance company picked up the tab which was 13 times less than the amount the Court is being asked to DEMAND Kim Weeks to shell out to Mr. Hadeed and Mr. Ericksen for ” reimburse costs and attorney’s fee” . However only ”reasonable’ fees’ are defined the pleadings but not the Florida Statute required ‘incurred’ costs and fees. BIG DIFFERENCE.. It seems nobody these days takes the time to read the Statutes ( F.S. 112.313(7) which requires expended, ‘incurred costs and fees not just ‘reasonable’ costs and fees. . Seems nobody takes the time to read the supporting Florida Administrative Codes ( 34-5.0291 (2) which requires the incurred amount of fees and costs ‘expended’ to be ‘included’ . Fact: no bills were ever included in any court file proving such costs and fees were ‘incurred’. It’s a damn shame the Commission voted on this is issue when the Commission is not even a direct party as a Plaintiff! Charles Ericksen, Jr and Al Hadeed are the Plaintiffs. The signed agreements by Mr. Ericksen and Mr. Hadeed signed with the county that IF they won they would ‘assign’ their winnings to the county but the county is not the Plaintiff!
I am praying Kim wins her Objections Thursday and then lets see if the County can still get money from Ericksen and Mr. Hadeed if they lose their case because there is nothing signed that they will assign their ‘losses ‘ to the county. The Plaintiffs in these cases are two individuals not Flagler County!
It is a very frightening world we live in when we believe what we hear and don’t take the time to read the facts and more importantly the law surrounding the facts. It is even more frightening that many judges and tribunals make wrong decisions because they chose to ignore the law or even worse they don’t care to rule according to the law. That is the scariest of all. Don’t ever think that if you are wronged by someone one or some entity that you will bring your proof to court and see justice . Don’t count on it; the good ole days are gone.
If Mr, Hadeed and Mr. Ericksen win their cases against Ms Weeks good luck in getting $120,000 from her. She doesn’t have it. She even will have to borrow the amount she offered to pay to make the case just go away and that $20,000 would be accepted it must be assigned to the County by Mr. Hadeed and Mr. Ericksen as they both pledged to do. FACT: the court Judgment will be on behalf of Mr. Hadeed and Mr. Ericksen not on behalf of the County as the Plaintiffs in my opinion. ( the court could assign the amount to the county but the county is not a party to these lawsuits ) This case is about Charlie Ericksen, Jr personally and Al Hadeed personally against Kim Weeks; not about any other person. Neither Dennis McDonald nor Mark Richter nor any other human being is at issue other than Kim Weeks. Should Kim Weeks be forced to reimburse costs and attorney’s fees which never existed? Would you like to be ordered by a court to repay money to anyone or any entity that they haven’t proved they ‘incurred’ because they never truly ‘incurred’ this money. Some pal attorneys told the court that these amounts are ‘reasonable’. And the courts just said ” OK”. But that ain’t the way the law reads -and that’s a big problem in Kim’s case. Very very sad when everyone is out for blood they don’t need…. Very very sad.. How do you see it?
Ron says
She knowingly intentionally lied. Case closed. Forget about negotiated a plea deal. She deserves to pay the full amount along with Dennis McDonald and his cohorts. They attempted to discredit our county officials along with all the taxpayers in this county. God bless Frank Meeker. They caused this man a lot of pain.
Monte Cristo says
Blah, Blah, Blah she deserves everything she gets. She abused her position, caused chaos and made allegations of many good people a way of life.
She has no remorse just continued contempt.
Pay your debt.
Gary Delia says
Before Ms. Weeks was elected Supervisor of Elections, that office was, to put it bluntly, a goatf**k. Long lines and confusion ruled the day. After her first year or so in office, she was cited by the state as Supervisor of The Year, and went on to get another honor her following term, and during her tenure she brought her office into the modern world. Every crime she was charged with was done not out of malice toward her detractors, but out of loyalty to the people who put her in office. Her troubles began when local politicians blocked voters from parking at one of the polling places. Things deteriorated from there to the point where Ms. Weeks felt she could no longer do the job she was elected to do because of all the political infighting. Yes, she did some stupid things, but she has also paid dearly. She lost her job, her pension, her life savings, and her good name. I constantly read in this section peoples’ complaints about real criminals getting just a slap on the wrist, but what’s happening to Ms. Weeks is more like having her hand chopped off for defying the Grand Ayatollah. In her case, justice should be tempered with mercy. Enough is enough.
Denali says
“Her troubles began when local politicians blocked voters from parking at one of the polling places.” Kinda, sorta, but not really. She placed (or had placed) signs saying ‘VOTER PARKING ONLY’ (or words to that effect) in parking spots designated by Florida statute as being for handicap use only. Her confiscation of those parking spots was a violation of FEDERAL law under the Americans With Disabilities Act. As such, she put not only herself, but Flagler County in a position where the Federal Department of Justice could bring charges. The potential suit was avoided when the local politicians righted her wrong.
I agree that she did some “stupid things” and as a result, she was punished. I cannot help but to wonder if she had not been so confrontational, arrogant and full of herself during the court proceedings might her punishment been less?
Jane Gentile-Youd says
To Denali
Shouldn’t the punishment fit the ‘crime’ . Do you get sent away for life for recording a conversation ? Read the facts; there never was a real crime other than what pals of those in power invented in my opinion.
Celia M Pugliese says
I disagree with this as former SOE Kim Weeks is an honest woman that even was Honored as Supervisor of the year I think was 2010 or so. I see it as a political targeting and witch hunt for not keeping silent of the shenanigan’s that adversely can influence our local elections. I worked as a poll worker precinct clerk for many years recruited by Peggy Rae Border and then I also worked for Kim Weeks and to me Kim was an honest SOE as honest as can be in our feisty elections environment as she promoted the constituents to get out and vote by making it easier under the law for them to go to the polls.
Yes she fought to have more precincts open available to voters and also make them comfortable to poll workers long hours. Since she was elected and reelected as Democrat campaigning for SOE and winning by a landslide hardly seeing in this county, she confronted wrath at her command from her initial staff absence to the FCBOCC not approving her small budget increases needed to properly serve her office needs. As soon as her replacement requested it was approved a big budget increase with flying colors. I yet can’t grasp how come in the 2020 elections the authorities in GA could made public a phone conversation with then president Trump with no problem and Kim Weeks here has the hardest punishment for life loosing her many years county employee pension, jail and hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties for doing about the same that the GA authorities did against a POTUS shenanigan’s without consequences. Where is justice? This keeps an open wound in my heart with Kim’s case “after reading all reported since her resignation” as I feel is so unfair! To Pierre; this time I totally disagree with you specially in the first paragraph of your report here. Also how come the FCBOCC can live with it..? Should we be concerned about our First Amendment right and Antislapp protection in Flagler County after what former SOE Weeks has ben put thru as reported allover? Furthermore should we all be concerned in Flagler county about the validity of our First Amendment Right and the Antislapp Fla. Stat. 768.295 (2011) suits protection? Hope not.
Jimbo says
She’s trash if she’s so low on money get a job??? Why make your husband slave working all day. What about all the lawyer fees for your son’s actions bailing him out of jail. look at what all you own. Clean your yard up with all the vehicles get money sell your property’s. Quit feeding your son’s drug habit. You aren’t poor you just want a free card. You thought you could fight your lies well God sees your nasty side and how you trash talk people and think your better than everyone. Pay the money .ohhh sell the Cadillac you just got you just sold your friends house that died n left you house car and whatever else he has you sold his house on marketplace. Your not as innocent as you think you are.