‘I didn’t get elected so I can hobnob’: Councilmember explains why he didn’t attend party on Shad Khan’s yacht

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Councilmember Jimmy Peluso on Friday explained to News4JAX why he declined an invitation to a holiday party on Monday hosted aboard Jacksonville Jaguars team owner Shad Khan’s 410-foot yacht, the Kismet.

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According to the Florida Times-Union, the gathering was a refined yet casual celebration featuring finger foods, beer, wine, and mixed drinks. It marked 10 years of collaboration to promote Jacksonville businesses to the United Kingdom.

Peluso explained his decision as a reflection of his priorities.

“It seemed like a perfectly fine event, but I decided not to attend. I didn’t get elected so I can hobnob; I came here to work for our citizens,” he wrote in a statement to News4JAX.

Peluso acknowledged the importance of the city’s recent stadium deal with the Jaguars but shared that he prefers participating in events that are open to the public or involve city employees.

Khan did not attend the party, but the Jaguars were represented by team President Mark Lamping.

The event, which hosted around 60 guests including Mayor Donna Deegan and several members of city council, did not violate Florida’s gift law, according to the mayor’s office.

The law limits the value of gifts from entities conducting business with the city to $100. According to ethics advisor Carla Miller, the per-person cost of the event was under $50, ensuring compliance even for officials who brought a guest, the mayor’s office said.

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Kirby Oberdorfer, director of the city’s Office of Ethics, confirmed that the event is under review.

“We are currently vetting the event and awaiting additional information from the host,” Oberdorfer said. She explained that this type of review is common, as council members are frequently invited to events that require ethical oversight.

While nine city council members and Deegan attended the event, Peluso’s decision highlights the optics of elected officials participating in private gatherings hosted by organizations closely tied to taxpayer-funded projects, underscoring the broader conversation about transparency and public trust, a topic that has sparked debate since it was first reported.