- June 16, 2025
Dear Editor:
In yet another controversy regarding Mayor Norris, now we are presented with vague and veiled allegations of corrupt behavior by a mysterious unnamed developer. The mayor cryptically refers to it as a “quid pro quo” offer made to him, but thus far has not been forthcoming with the details and refuses to do so, other than to say it relates to the city’s Comprehensive Plan for area development.
Given that he believes the incident is worthy of a law enforcement referral, it must be his assessment that it is criminal in nature. And, although he’s content with just teasing us about what actually occurred, it’s reasonable to conclude it’s bribery. And that’s a big deal. Why he opted to offer only hints that are likely to stir up the rampant on-going corruption conspiracy theory rhetoric and hysteria is unclear. But, drawing the conclusion that that was his intent would be reasonable.
Contained in what little information he’s willing to publicly divulge, is that the matter apparently happened some time ago and was witnessed by his wife. According to the mayor, the quid pro quo bribe offer resulted in no contemporaneous note taking, no memorializing the event in writing, was not recorded (because that would be illegal in Florida), and no written witness statement was obtained from his wife, a former police detective.
When asked about any existing documentation, Norris surprisingly responded that none at all exists because it’s all “in his mind” and, in a rather snide and threatening tone, dared a constituent who inquired about evidence and documents to "try and get it if you like.”
It’s further reasonable to presume that any law enforcement agency would be reluctant to act solely upon what has been stored in his and his wife’s mind for months. Why, immediately after the alleged bribe attempt, Norris didn’t head straight to the authorities is a mystery in need of an explanation. Also complicating any meaningful law enforcement referral is that he blurted out publicly, accidentally or otherwise, who the suspects are by referring to two developers who were included as witnesses in the recent Ethics Commission complaint filed by the City Council against him for a Charter violation and other issues.
There seems to be so many flaws in the way this bribery case was handled by the mayor, it may have been irreparably damaged from any viable police investigation standpoint, let alone any subsequent prosecution efforts.
Overall, from what little we know about the allegation, coupled with how the mayor has handled it thus far, unfortunately garners little in the way of credibility. And openly tantalizing the City Council and the public with serious, but intentionally cryptic criminal allegations, is irresponsible and reckless.
If something eventually pans out and his allegations are proven to have merit, so be it, but at this time, given the curious timing of this bribery bombshell, there is a nagging feeling that this may turn out to be viewed as just an opportunistic diversion from the Ethics Committee complaint he is currently facing.
Bob Gordon
Palm Coast
