BREAKING NEWS: Ramsingh Terminated Without Cause
In the end, the former City Attorney got exactly what he wanted: a payout of nearly a quarter-million dollars that comes due in a lump sum in the next 20 days
It took 57 minutes for the Key West City Commission to give disgraced, felony-indicted City Attorney Ron Ramsingh exactly what he wanted: a termination without cause which will result in a lump sum payment of nearly $250k which comes due within 20 days of the termination.
Earlier in the day just an hour before the meeting, Ramsingh appealed to commissioners in a handwritten note asking to be terminated with cause with as little vitriol as possible.
But it didn’t amount to a get-out-of-jail-free card, which he will likely really be able to use as he faces four felony indictments for illegal recording and distribution, altering or destroying official records and official misconduct.
Commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of the sweetheart deal (Hoover, Carey, Lee and Castillo in favor, with Haskell, Kaufman and Mayor Henriquez against.)
Several of the commissioners are facing potential exposure and prosecution for violating Florida’s Sunshine Law, including Henriquez, Carey and Lee, who were in several incriminating group texts sent by Ramsingh as he orchestrated the termination of former City Manager Al Childress in an attempt to save his brother, Chief Building Officer Raj Ramsingh’s job.
In a bizarre twist, Commissioner Haskell voted against both the resolution she sponsored with Kaufman to terminate Ramsingh with cause, and then voted against terminating him without cause.
During consideration of the former motion, there appeared to be confusion on the dais as to what exactly commissioners were voting for, leading Lissette Carey to ask acting City Attorney Cynthia Hall how she should vote.
“I am the attorney,” responded Hall. “I don’t have an opinion on how you should vote.”
Carey was linked earlier in the day to at least one of the falsified permits issued by Ramsingh’s brother.
Several retired attorneys spoke in support of terminating Ramsingh with cause and even withholding payments for accrued sick leave and vacation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates or to view the recorded version of the meeting, click here.