Sturges Ethics Complaint Dismissed

The Florida Commission on Ethics has entered a public report pertaining to the ethics complaint filed by Faith Ross against David Sturges. Mrs. Ross, a current member on the City of Fernandina Beach Board of Adjustment, and wife of Fernandina Beach Commissioner Chip Ross, alleged that Mr. Sturges engaged in unethical behavior by voting on matters before the city commission that would result in special benefits to himself or other third parties.

Following an extensive investigation, the Commission on Ethics found that no probable cause existed to substantiate the claims.

Upon receipt of the Commission on Ethics' Public Report dismissing Mrs. Ross' complaint, Vice-Mayor Sturges stated the following:

"I am grateful to the Commission on Ethics for conducting a thorough investigation into Mrs. Ross' allegations. From the first time I first learned of Mrs. Ross' false claims I have wanted to respond publicly so that the truth was known. Despite my personal desire to bring all of the facts surrounding these baseless accusations to light, I have purposefully refrained from discussing this matter so that the Commission on Ethics could make an unbiased, transparent, and completely accurate determination, free from any outside influence.

"I am thankful the truth was revealed in this matter. The city commission has a great deal of work to do in 2024, and I look forward to facing these challenges without the distractions caused by these false claims."

A second ethics complaint against Sturges is still under investigation by the Commission on Ethics.