Emails: Jax Councilwoman LeAnna Cumber had conflict of interest in JEA sale despite claiming otherwise

JACKSONVILLE (FLV) – Documents show Jacksonville councilwoman and Republican candidate for mayor, LeAnna Cumber, may have had a conflict of interest during the JEA sale attempt.

Emails show her husband had been involved with the discussions surrounding the sale.

The Special Investigatory Committee Chair had asked city council members to disclose whether they or their immediate family members had “any interaction” with any person or entity connected in any way with JEA or the City related to the privatization, reorganization, sale or other transfer of interest or management control of JEA or the Invitation to Negotiate.

Immediate family includes spouse and children. Interaction means an established or potential business relationship, a contractual relationship, employment or meeting. A person or entity connected to JEA or the city includes JEA board members, Senior Leadership Team members, bidders, consultants, lobbyists, attorneys, or City Officials.

Cumber signed a JEA disclosure statement saying there are no conflicts of interest with JEA.

Additional 2020 documents list out lobbyists, attorneys, and consultants who were in connection with the JEA sale.

Husein Cumber, LeAnna Cumber’s husband, is named as someone who was considered as a consultant.

“Please note that an affiliate of a JEA PPP consortium member performed due diligence on potentially retaining Husein Cumber as a consultant but did not do so as there was a perceived or actual conflict,” the document said.

However, emails show Husein Cumber in the loop and involved with discussions surrounding the JEA sale. One specific email from Husein Cumber conversations he had with council members about “selling the water and sewer system.” In the email, Husein Cumber is editing a question that the team would submit to JEA during the official Q&A period.

Republican mayoral candidate Daniel Davis criticized Cumber in an attack ad for her husband’s alleged involvement with JEA.

The ad reportedly accuses Husein Cumber of “consulting with interested buyers of JEA.” It said he was “forced” to testify in the grand jury investigation that led to the indictment of former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn.

In response to the ad, Cumber dismissed the accusations to CBS 47.

“He is lobbing lies about me and now about my family,” Cumber said. “He is the only one in this race who was paid. Paid to promote the sale of JEA and who is still talking about that we should privatize.”