Agenda set for Special Meeting to Determine Fate of City Attorney
Commissioners have three options concerning the embattled Ron Ramsingh.
By Ted Lund
KEY WEST — The Key West City Commission has set the stage for three possible outcomes with regards to four felony indictment City Attorney Ron Ramsingh.
Commissioners Sam Kaufman and Monica Haskell are reintroducing a resolution to terminate Ramsingh with cause for his involvement in the permitting and cover-up scandal that has rocked City Hall to its core. That direction would only see the City Attorney receive compensation for accrued sick leave and vacation time, totaling roughly $180k.
Kaufman is also sponsoring a resolution that proposes placing Ramsingh on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of criminal charges resulting from a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office.
Ramsingh and his brother, Chief Building Officer, Raj, were recently indicted by a Monroe County Grand Jury for several felony counts involving corruption at City Hall.
On Wednesday, April 23, the Grand Jury returned another felony charge for Ramsingh for official misconduct. The CBO received seven additional felony counts for falsifying building permits for himself and the benefit of other property owners around the Island City. Both were expected to turn themselves in today.
Commissioner (and former KWPD Chief) Donnie Lee will introduce a resolution favoring the termination of Ramsingh without cause, which would pay the City Attorney for accrued sick leave, vacation time and the equivalent of 20 weeks salary, stipends for a vehicle, cell phone, and retirement contributions outlined in his employment agreement. That total would be just under $240k in the hopes of limiting any future legal claims by Ramsingh for wrongful termination. That payout would equate to a roughly 2.5-percent tax increase to fund fully.
Absent from the agenda is a proposed separation agreement authored by Ramsingh which called for the same terms and conditions as termination without cause, while also providing for a lump sum payment totaling $195k in return for a release from future legal action. That resolution was set to be sponsored by neophyte commissioner Aaron Castillo but failed to make the agenda. The nearly $500k payout to assure Ramsingh’s silence and future legal action was poorly received by residents on social media and could result in a 3.5 -percent increase in taxes.
Commissioners will also seek to codify an interim agreement with local attorney Cynthia Hall for special legal counsel related to tonight’s special meeting and any personnel matters that may require her services. Hall agreed to waive any fees for the limited scope of work, and will only be paid for any reasonable expenses incurred providing receipts are submitted to the City within 30 days. The special arrangement is sponsored by new City Manager Brian Barroso.
Tonight’s special meeting is slated to begin at 5 p.m. in City Hall Chambers at 1300 White St. For those unable to attend, the meeting will be aired locally on Ch. 77 and live-streamed from the City’s website.
To view the agenda, click here, or click here to stream the meeting live.