A former Key West city commissioner is accusing the mayor of Key West of reneging on a political favor he claims was promised in exchange for political support that included financial contributions.
In an email to city officials that was directed to Key West Mayor Teri Johnston, former city commissioner Harry Bethel alleges the mayor promised him a seat on the Key West Housing Authority board in exchange for his personal and financial contributions to her 2018 mayoral campaign.
Harry Bethel emailed Mayor Teri Johnston, the six city commissioners and City Attorney Shawn Smith on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 criticizing the mayor for not returning his calls or emails.
Bethel’s email then states, “I was trying to contact you about trying to make the Key West Housing Authority Board into a seven-member board, which is ridiculous.”
“…I also understand you already have two names for appointments, Bryan Green and another gentleman, and that you also committed to a lady friend,” Bethel’s email states.
He goes on to say that he and the mayor clearly differ, because when Bethel says he’s going to do something, “You can take that to the bank.”
“Now let’s go back in history when you first ran for mayor, you, myself and another gentleman friend, whose name you know, had lunch at Antonia’s and we told you we would support you in the election and financially. I asked you at that meeting, if, when you had the opportunity, would you appoint me to the Key West Housing Authority board of directors, and your response was YES,” Bethel’s email states. “That right there shows me your word is worthless…Every commissioner that sits with you has returned my calls. MAYBE YOU WILL RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL….LET’S SEE.”
Online election records show that Harry Bethel and his wife, Faye, each donated $100 to Johnston’s 2018 mayoral campaign.
When reached by Keys Weekly on Monday morning, Johnston said she is, in fact, looking into the possibility of expanding the housing authority board to seven members from its current five seats, and that she has been approached by “20 or so people who have asked to be considered for that highly respected board position.
“There is no back room deal,” Johnston said. “I get requests to be on boards all the time, as do all the other commissioners. And what better way to add ideas and expertise to that prominent board than by expanding it rather than replacing anyone currently on it?”
“My obligation to this community is to pick the most qualified people who can effectively serve our needs,” the mayor said. “I quite frankly don’t remember exactly what was said during that lunch meeting more than two years ago, but Mr. Bethel has asked to serve on every board. He’s been on the warpath and I hate to even give him any air time with this.”
Bethel told Keys Weekly on Monday morning that Johnston “absolutely” agreed to put him on the housing authority board and said that the other person who was present at the lunch would attest to it.
“I never asked for it to be a seven-member board,” Bethel said. “It’s always functioned perfectly with five members. I wanted to finish out my public service career on the same board I started with. I had called her, left messages, and nothing,” Bethel said. “I supported her, yes, ma’am. I held up my end. But that’s OK. She has to run for re-election. And we’ll see what happens then.”
Johnston said she’ll consider all applicants, but that she is looking for people with an understanding of the current state of affordable housing, the available funding sources and the potential for “infilling,” meaning adding units to existing housing authority complexes such as at Poinciana Plaza and Porter Place.
Monroe County Elections Supervisor Joyce Griffin told Keys Weekly that if there was proof of such a political trade-off, “that would be a huge no-no, and at the very least would be an ethics violation,” Griffin said. “But remember, people lie all the time, especially in politics. So unless there’s some sort of incontrovertible proof, it would be a he said/she said situation.”
State Attorney Dennis Ward agreed that proof would be required for any sort of prosecutorial action or investigation.
“Where’s the proof?” Ward asked.
