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Brevard County, FL — Katie Delaney, 33, a newly registered Republican and candidate for the Brevard County Commission District 1 seat, has come under fire for submitting a falsified financial disclosure Form 6 as part of her qualifying documents. The documents were submitted to Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic.
Understanding Form 6: Financial Disclosure Requirements
Form 6, also known as the Full and Public Disclosure of Financial Interests, is a critical document required for candidates running for public office in Florida. It mandates the disclosure of a candidate’s assets, liabilities, and net worth to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest. Accurate and truthful reporting on this form is essential for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Allegations Against Delaney
Delaney’s financial disclosure form has come under scrutiny due to several discrepancies and omissions. According to the documents submitted, Delaney reported a grossly inflated net worth and claimed to have zero liabilities, while claiming an income of only $20,000 annually. However, according to public records with the Brevard County Clerk of Courts, she has multiple mortgages on her primary residence, which she purchased from her mother and later refinanced at a much higher value, multiple times. Despite listing this property as an asset, she failed to disclose the associated liabilities. Her submitted Form 6 is below.
Legal and Ethical Implications
Submitting a falsified or inaccurate financial disclosure form is a severe offense under Florida law. According to Florida Statutes Section 112.317, violations related to financial disclosure can result in various penalties, including fines, public censure, and disqualification from holding public office. The Florida Commission on Ethics is responsible for investigating such complaints and can impose penalties based on their findings.
The ethics complaint filed against Delaney today initiates an official investigation into the accuracy of her financial disclosure. If the Commission finds that she intentionally submitted false information, Delaney could face significant repercussions, including disqualification from the ballot and potential criminal charges.
Delaney is also a fierce supporter for Brevard School Board Member Gene Trent who is also under fire for his financial disclosures. Last year, he submitted a form that stated he was worth approximately negative half a million dollars. This year he has failed to submit his form at all which has been late since July 1, 2024. Trent was also suspended from teaching by Brevard Public Schools when we reported that he lied on his teacher’s application failing to disclose his criminal history. We reported on Delaney’s own criminal history, including theft here.
After we publicly reported last week that Trent failed to submit his disclosures this year, he suddenly submitted them today. But they bring more questions than answers. Trent, who is a math teacher has reported a net worth increase of over $800k in one year according to his own reports. Last year he reported a net worth of -$555,000, and this year reporting a net worth of $376,400. We are drafting a complaint for the Ethics commission to investigate this drastic discrepancy.
Potential Legal Actions by Opponents
In addition to the ethics complaint, one of Delaney’s opponents could take legal action to challenge her candidacy. Under Florida law, candidates can be disqualified from the ballot for submitting false documents. Specifically, Section 99.061 of the Florida Statutes outlines the process for qualifying for public office and the requirements for submitting accurate and truthful information. A court challenge could be initiated to seek Delaney’s disqualification, arguing that her submission of false financial disclosure documents constitutes grounds for removal from the ballot.
Impact on the Election
Katie is endorse by State Representative Randy Fine who also is facing a current investigation by the Florida Commission on Ethics for the false and inaccurate information submitted on his financial disclosure forms for several years.
This controversy surrounding Delaney’s candidacy is likely to have a significant impact on the upcoming election. She is one of four Republicans competing in the August 20th primary. Voters expect transparency and honesty from their candidates, and any breach of trust can undermine the democratic process. The public will be closely watching to see how these allegations are addressed and what consequences, Delaney will face.
Conclusion
The allegations against Katie Delaney for submitting a falsified financial disclosure form highlight the importance of transparency and accuracy in the electoral process. As the Florida Commission on Ethics investigates the complaint, and potential legal actions loom, the integrity of Delaney’s candidacy hangs in the balance. This case serves as a reminder of the critical role that ethical standards and legal compliance play in maintaining public trust in the political system.
We extended an opportunity for Delaney to comment; she did not.
