Groveland Mayor Jim Gearhart quits amid Sunshine-law probe
GROVELAND — Mayor Jim Gearhart, who's been under fire from residents and city employees amid an investigation for possible Sunshine Law violations, stepped down on Wednesday.
Gearhart, a member of the City Council since 2007 who was elected mayor last year, blamed "politics" and "brutal attacks" for his resignation in a letter he delivered to Interim City Manager Willie Morgan.
"It is with deep regret I have not been able to properly lead the City of Groveland and its wonderful citizens into the future," Gearhart wrote.
Gearhart made no mention of the ongoing Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation in his resignation letter. Morgan said he didn't bring up the probe with him either: "He gave other reasons. This was personal to him.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/os-groveland-mayor-resigns-20131113,0,1100458.story
