Residency: Cummings stands firm on denial of any impropriety

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Palm Tree Boulevard during the relevant period and that “Cummings did not reside in District 4 until March 22, 2023 ”

S p r o a t a l s o f o u n d t h a t “ C u m m i n g s failed to cooperate in the investigation,” citing what she called “the greater weight of the evidence ”

Council called for the investigation after a Cape Coral resident, who requested whistleblower anonymity, sent a complaint to various officials alleging that Cummings “fraudulently represented herself as living in District 4” in violation of a city charter provision that requires candidates to reside in the district they seek to represent and has been interpreted as it requires they live within their district while they serve

According to the report, “Cummings h a d a n i n t e n t t o ‘ c l a i m ’ P a l m T r e e Boulevard as her residence” but documents provided “do not prove Cummings ever intended to live there, or that she ever actually lived at Palm Tree Boulevard during the relevant period ”

In addition, the report states that “the greater weight of the evidence supports a finding that Cummings leased a house on SW 50th Terrace in District 2 when she filed for election and that she intended to c o n t i n u e t o l i v e t h e r e u n t i l t h e l e a s e expired in November 2022 There is ample evidence to show Cummings and her family occupied the house on SW 50th Terrace as their home at the time she filed to run and continuously thereafter until they evacuated the house after Hurricane Ian ” Cummings has steadfastly denied the allegation and said she provided Sproat with documentation attesting to residency in District 4 She classified the report upon its submission to the city last Thursday “a web of lies ”

She did not respond to requests for comment or a statement from her attorney this Thursday but issued a statement last Friday

“Clearly this is a witch hunt that is politically motivated.

“Let’s remember this was an Anonymous complaint. All evidence and documents was provided to the City of Cape Coral. The City of Cape Coral retained Vicki Sproat for a fact finding investigation. My attorney Jay Lechner provided those same facts and with even more documents to Ms Sproat My facts have not changed in spite of Ms Sproat not accepting them or claiming I did not cooperate with her investigation There is nothing else to state regarding my residence in question of qualifications ”

Councilmember Patty Cumming in response to the report’s findings morning

“Clearly this is a witch hunt that is politically motivated,” she said via text to The Breeze “ L e t ’ s r e m e m b e r t h i s w a s a n Anonymous complaint. All evidence and documents was provided to the City of C a p e C o r a l T h e C i t y o f C a p e C o r a l retained Vicki Sproat for a fact finding investigation My attorney Jay Lechner provided those same facts and with even more documents to Ms Sproat My facts have not changed in spite of Ms Sproat not accepting them or claiming I did not cooperate with her investigation There is nothing else to state regarding my residence in question of qualifications

“Any further details or comments about this investigation will be turned over to my attorney Jay Lechner ”

Cummings previously said she cooperated with the investigation by providing d o c u m e n t s w h i c h t h e r e p o r t c o n f i r m s included a drivers license and a document from Lee Vote showing the Palm Tree a d d r e s s , a w r i t t e n s t a t e m e n t f r o m Cummings attesting to her residency, and a document from the Palm Street address homeowner

Sproat requested additional, specific documents, though, that were not provided and so used other documents voluntarily obtained or a matter of public record

Those interviewed included Julia Ettari, a former friend and campaign supporter of Cummings who filed the complaint, originally requesting whistleblower protection before allowing her name to be disclosed in Sproat’s report; a person who lived next door to a home in District 2 where the complaint alleged Cummings resided when she qualified to run for the District 4 seat to which she was elected; Cummings’ campaign treasurer; and city employees within the Council offices

A c c o r d i n g t o S p r o a t ’ s r e p o r t , Cummings was among those who declined or did not respond to requests for an interv i e w a s w a s C o u n c i l m e m b e r D a n Sheppard, who voted against the investigation.

The meeting will be held at 4:30 p m , Monday, June 26, at City Council chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd

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