Statute of limitations bars action against questionable votes

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Afive-year statute of limitations will bar any action against Rich Bianculli, a trustee of the Marion County Hospital District (MCHD), related to two questionable votes in 2014 and 2017 concerning a contract the board gave an investment advisor, Berman Capital.

Following a report by the “Gazette” last month about an apparent conflict of interest between the district’s longtime trustee and Berman Capital, which was entrusted with a third of the district’s investment, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) asked the county’s attorney, Guy Minter, to look into the situation.

The commissioners are responsible for appointing and removing trustees from the district’s board.

Minter informed the commissioners by email that he had reached out to the Florida Ethics Commission, which informed him that the dates of the votes meant they were barred by a five-year statute of limitations and the ethics commission had no jurisdiction to take action in the matter.

MCHD investments, totaling $275,661,698 during the last reporting period, are broken up equally among the investment companies of Cresset Berman, Graystone, and Truist.

MCHD started investing approximately $213 million in 2014 when the county, with approval from Marion County voters, decided to lease the county hospital, Munroe Regional Medical Center, to a private healthcare company. The hospital lease has changed hands a few times since then and is now held by AdventHealth.

The money from the lease came to the MCHD trustees to be used to meet the health needs of Marion County residents.

The three investment companies are overseen by an investment consultant, Park Place, which advises the trustee board. Cresset Berman, formerly known as Berman Capital Advisors, and Truist, formerly known as SunTrust, have continually invested money for the MCHD since the hospital was leased. Graystone replaced another investment company,

See Marion, page A2

Marciano’s term will begin Dec. 5.

City councilmember Kristin Dreyer also did not draw an opponent and will continue a second term as a council member. Dreyer received $19,000 in campaign contributions.

“As I stand, unopposed, for a second term on the city council, I am immensely grateful for the trust you have placed in me, and I look forward to the privilege of serving you once again. Together, let us continue the journey of progress, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come,” Dreyer wrote in a statement to the “Gazette.”

City councilmember Ire Bethea has drawn one opponent, Reginald Landers. That seat will be decided in a Sept. 19 election.