MANATEE COUNTY (SNN TV) – The Florida Commission on Ethics agrees to settlement terms with Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.
This is due to her role in organizing a pop-up COVID vaccine site that only served two zip codes in Lakewood Ranch.
This was at a time when vaccine demand was high but supply was limited. The Herald-Tribune reports the decision was attacked by those who advocated for fair access for underrepresented communities. It’s alleged that Baugh created a V-I-P list of five residents, including herself, who would get pre-arranged access to the vaccine.
Baugh agreed to pay an 8-thousand dollar fine and admitted to violating the code of ethics statutes.