Fitzgerald

By DANA TREEN
The Times-Union

Gov. Charlie Crist today reinstated Christy Fitzgerald to the Clay County Commission following her acquittal on final misdemeanor charges earlier this month.

Fitzgerald was removed from office after being indicted for misconduct and petty theft charges in March 2006.

The one-page executive order signed Monday is effective immediately. Her term expires at the end of this year.

Fitzgerald was acquitted of misdemeanor charges April 14.

“We’re happy with the decision,” said her attorney, Geddes Anderson. He said he has not talked to the former commissioner about what steps to take next, including whether she wants to return to the seat, or seek back pay and attorney fees in two trials on misdemeanor charges.

In less than 20 minutes of deliberation today, a six-member jury found former Clay County Commissioner Christy Fitzgerald not guilty of using public works employees to do work at her home when they were being paid by the county.

Jurors in St. Johns County, where the trial was moved because of pretrial publicity in Clay, said the state did not prove the former commissioner knew she was doing anything wrong.

Ftzgerald was tried on a single count of petty theft that county employees worked at her Fleming Island home one day in the fall of 2004 to clean up debris at a storm-damaged dock while they were on the clock for the county.

Yea, one victory for former county commission Christy Fitzgerald. The judge ruled today granting a change of venue to St. Johns County. St. Johns County is a different judicial district....so even the power wannabe's in Clay County cant call on Mr. Shorstein for help.

The judge also expressed concern over the SAO/CCSO loosing documents (2 documents from 2 different files). Documents that are very important in this case. I bet if the documents HELPED the State's case, then they would not have been LOST??????? I am looking forward to writing more blogs when Ms. Fitzgerald is acquitted and is reinstated and provided back pay. Then all of these bloggers who are encouraging people to submit names for consideration for her seat can rest. It is a great day!!!!!!!!