In an update to ongoing scandal in Mayor Buddy Dyer’s administration, there is a leaked recording from the Orlando City Clerk’s office that the city doesn’t want out, while Public Information Manager Ashley Papagni and City Commissioner Robert Stuart are alleging a crime was committed in City Hall.
After a recent improper suspension of an employee who raised concerns about what was happening in the City Clerk’s office, Stephanie Herdocia and Ken Walsh found themselves engulfed in another scandal in Buddy Dyer’s administration.
The latest update comes after accusations were made against Orlando City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia and Deputy City Clerk Ken Walsh alleging ongoing retaliation and threats in the workplace. Aide Diana Perez was suspended by Herdocia for 17 days with full pay before the SEIU union successfully pushed back against the City of Orlando management to have her reinstated to her role in the Clerk’s office. Because of Stephanie Herdocia’s improper suspension, Orlando taxpayers paid a government employee for 17 days to do no work while her management attempted to get her fired – talk about government waste.
Now comes the interesting update of an audio recording from within the Orlando City Clerk’s office. On February 13th, an email was sent to various city employees including Chief of Staff Heather Fagan, the City Clerk, Mayor Buddy Dyer, and City Commissioners Jim Gray, Tony Ortiz, Robert Stuart, Shan Rose, Bakari Burns and Patty Sheehan that said: “Someone recorded your shady mgr tellin [sic] that employee she was all good.”
It included an audio attachment. West Orlando News was also copied on this email. The audio appeared to be recorded inside City Hall involving Deputy City Clerk Ken Walsh and Aide Diana Perez, raising workplace concerns prior to her suspension.
West Orlando News responded to the email chain asking what this was all about, and asking “What is going on at the City Clerk’s office?” Commissioner Robert Stuart responded in less than 10 minutes alleging it was an illegal recording. However, when asked in follow up questions how he was knowledgeable of an alleged crime committed in Orlando City Hall, Commissioner Stuart refused to respond.
On several occasions, West Orlando News asked Public Information Managers Ashley Papagni and Andrea Otero if there was any criminal referral, complaint or investigation made regarding City Commissioner Robert Stuart’s claim that an alleged illegal recording made in City Hall – always with no response. There was an alleged crime in Mayor Buddy Dyer’s administration, yet no one would answer any questions or acknowledge what Commissioner Stuart alleged.
Ashley Papagni also refused to state if anyone in the City of Orlando reported this alleged crime to law enforcement after weeks of questioning by the West Orlando News. This raises additional questions of government integrity and ethics, as government officials who are aware of a crime should report that crime to do the right thing and have it investigated. West Orlando News reached out to the Orlando Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Attorney General’s office and Governor Ron DeSantis’ office to check if any alleged crime from Orlando City Hall involving the recording was reported to them – no agency responded to confirm a report or investigation. Sources informed West Orlando News that employees in the Clerk’s office stated no investigation has taken place to date other than a few questions from Labor Relations to select individuals.
This week, when informed that West Orlando News would move forward with publication about the alleged crime and alleged illegal recording because of the city’s lack of response, the lack of reporting to law enforcement and the public interest of the matter, Ashley Papagni finally responded:
“To the extent that an audio recording was made in violation of Sec. 934.03, F.S., any intentional disclosure of that recording is illegal. Accordingly, the City is unable to release the requested recording,” the City of Orlando Public Information Manager said.
After stating an alleged crime was committed in Buddy Dyer’s City Hall, Papagni was asked as a follow up: when was this referred to law enforcement, and which agencies did the City report this alleged illegal recording? She responded: “Please refer to the previous email sent at 1:36 p.m. for your statement,” referencing the quote above. She did not respond to any other questions sent on the alleged crime she was attempting to confirm.
All of this now raised the possibility of a second crime having been committed in Stephanie Herdocia’s office. One of Herdocia’s employees – who was in the middle of the dispute involving the improperly suspended aide – sent the alleged illegal recording to an outside contact who does not work for the City of Orlando. That person later reached out to West Orlando News and attempted to use the alleged illegal recording against claims made by Perez.
The City of Orlando Public Information Manager stated “any intentional disclosure of that recording is illegal,” but City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia never suspended, investigated or fired her employee who apparently disclosed the recording to an outside source. When asked about why this employee remained employed since February, city officials did not respond for comment. That employee was reportedly still at work in the City Clerk’s office as of publication of this article, and she did not respond to attempts for comment. Perez also did not respond to attempts for comment.
While investigating this update on the latest scandal, a source sent WON proof the audio recording has been available on TikTok. The City of Orlando and State Representative Anna Eskamani, who is running for Orlando Mayor, were tagged in the TikTok post, which urged Eskamani to “fire these corrupt ass mgrs.” [warning: link will take you to TikTok]
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