Patton Faces Ethics Violation Findings

The Florida Commission on Ethics identified a $58,205 capital account value in 2024 that was not listed on Kamela Patton’s financial disclosure forms. At its October 23 meeting, the Commission found probable cause that the Alachua County Public Schools superintendent violated ethics laws. The findings cover three counts related to her 2023 and 2024 filings.

A complaint filed in June alleged that Patton failed to disclose business assets and income. The Commission ordered an investigation in July after reviewing the allegations. Executive Director Kerrie Stillman dismissed the claim regarding a Naples condominium, noting the mortgage records dated from 2021 did not trigger a disclosure requirement for the 2023, 2024, or 2025 reporting periods.

The investigation revealed that Patton filed her 2023 Form 1 on July 1, 2025, well after the December 18, 2024 deadline. The form was due within 30 days of her start date on November 18, 2024. The investigator found no evidence that ACPS staff notified Patton of the 30-day requirement. The Commission did not send Patton an email invitation to file because ACPS added her to the filer list only in January 2025.

Patton’s tax returns showed she had a capital account in Patton Solutions, LLC worth $35,157 in 2023 and $58,205 at the end of 2024. The forms require disclosure of intangible personal property worth more than $10,000. Patton did not list the LLC on her 2023 or 2024 forms. She told the investigator she did not take a salary in 2024 and that the LLC had a net loss in 2023.

In an August 25 response, Patton argued she did not willfully fail to file the 2023 form because she never received the statutory notice. She stated she received only $5,868 into her personal bank account from the LLC between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. She called that amount too small to trigger a reporting threshold. Patton said she would amend her 2024 form as a precaution but argued she should not file a 2023 form because she held no reporting position for most of that year.

An Advocate for the Commission found insufficient evidence for a late filing violation but found probable cause for inaccurate 2023 and 2024 filings. The Advocate cited the capital account values exceeding the $10,000 threshold. Patton responded that the LLC is more like a pit into which she throws personal funds. She argued the capital account is a paper number and not cash in a bank account. She requested a 30-day window to amend her 2024 form and no action on the 2023 form.

Lynn Blais of the Commission wrote in a public records response that the probable cause finding is not a final determination of a violation. The next step is either a full evidentiary hearing before a Division of Administrative Hearings Judge or a settlement agreement with the Commission Advocate. The matter will return to the Commission for final action on whether a violation occurred and what penalty is appropriate.