ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A board member with the St. Johns County Airport Authority is speaking out after the entity’s legal counsel, Douglas Law Firm, claimed that the board’s chairman and another member committed a “pattern of violations” under Florida Sunshine Law.
Jennifer Liotta, who is one of five board members, said it’s “highly unusual” for a law firm to withdraw its representation after claiming that Reba Ludlow, the chairman, and Len Tucker “failed to disclose conflicts of interest” among other “ethical violations.”
Liotta also said she was given no explanation as to why a meeting originally scheduled for Monday was canceled following Douglas Law Firm’s notice and referred to the matter as a “serious situation.”
“I was disappointed by the press release that went out on Saturday from the Authority characterizing it as a matter of two board members and our general counsel,” Liotta said. “I disagree with that statement, [and] I believe it affects and involves everybody, the other board members, staff.”
A full statement from Liotta can be read below.
Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable when it comes to public service. The letter from the Douglas Law Firm raises serious concerns, including alleged violations of Florida’s Sunshine Laws, conflicts of interest, and even potential criminal activity involving two board members, Len Tucker, and the Chairman, Reba Ludlow. These are issues that cannot and should not should be ignored.
Furthermore, the Chairman abruptly canceled the board meeting scheduled for February 24, 2025 without explanation, the day after the Douglas Law Firm letter was delivered. That decision deprived board members and the public of the opportunity to address this matter openly. The timing of that cancellation is deeply concerning and only reinforces the need for immediate action.
I was very disappointed to read the airport’s press release on this issue that was sent out on Saturday, February 22, 2025. I believe the press release improperly minimizes the issues at hand. The Authority’s General Counsel office advised on much more than just ‘governance and compliance.’ It is a serious matter that the airport does not have a General Counsel, especially in light of the allegations contained in the Douglas Law Firm withdrawl letter.
Instead of addressing these serious allegations, the Authority’s press release suggests that everything is fine. That is simply not the appropriate response. A meeting has already been cancelled which has disrupted the business of the Authority. The Airport is deprived of a General Counsel and potential criminal activity directly related to the Aiport is going unaddressed. These are all harmful to the Airport and are not business as usual.
Issuing press releases is not a substitute for accountability. The St. Johns County Airport Authority must take immediate steps to ensure public trust is not compromised. The priority right now must be launching an independent investigation into these allegations.
Jennifer Liotta, Board Member, St. Johns County
News4JAX planned to attend the meeting, and following its cancellation received the following statement from Interim Executive Director Courtney K. Pittman:
The St. Johns County Airport Authority has been made aware of the withdrawal of engagement by the Douglas Law Firm. This matter involves two individual Board Members and the law firm that has provided governance and compliance counsel to the Board of Directors.
The staff of the Northeast Florida Regional Airport remains focused on the safe and orderly operation of the Airport while the Board of Directors addresses this matter at their next regularly scheduled board meeting. This matter has no impact on the day-to-day operations of the Airport.
St. Johns County Airport Authority Interim Executive Director Courtney K. Pittman
Douglas Law Firm said the board members have had ethics training and have been repeatedly informed of what would happen if violations were committed. The firm also said it told board members how the actions could endanger the airport authority, but added that “those warnings and legal advice have been ignored.”
According to the Airport Authority, the next board meeting is scheduled for March 10 at 4 p.m., which would be the next opportunity to get answers for those seeking them.
Finally, Douglas Law said individual board members have engaged in what is perceived as retaliatory behavior against its attorneys for raising concerns about the potential violations.
News4JAX reached out to other board members for comment and will update this story when a response is received.