WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News LeaderGulf County TDC Director Fired

The Gulf County Tourist Development Council director is officially let go after an audit reveals missteps in the organization's business dealings.

Tonight the gulf county commission addressed the issue.

This might look like a random parking lot, but it's not for those who live here in Port St. Joe. It's an important area that will be crowded with tourists come this summer. But in the tourism industry there's been a bit of controversy of late.

Supporters and accusers crowded a room at Tuesday evening's Gulf County Commission meeting to voice their opinion on the latest news in the TDC audit. One member of the public shouts her disagreement to the commission. "It's just unbelievable to me!"

Tuesday morning Gulf County officials fired TDC director Tim Kerigan.

The county commission's chairman, Bill Williams, explained to the packed room Tuesday evening that it was the right move. "There were mistakes made and we all agree this needs to go through, but this was not done in an impulsive manner."

Part of the audit questions the use of Kerigan's brother's marketing firm for a TDC bid and the use of BP money for grant projects. Tim Kerigan's mother, Lynn, sat through the meeting heartbroken at her son's plight. "I know the vast majority of the community would support him and his actions and would want him to be treated fairly, just as I asked. And I would like to see the board re-instate him."

But according to the chairman of the board, that won't happen. TDC members will be allowed to re-apply but Kerigan is gone for good.

Bill Williams says there were too many mistakes revealed by the audit for the commission to just do nothing. "When you spend $435,000 with your brother's firm without RFP or you give

$15,000 to a sitting board member without the TDC approving it, these are egregious acts and we had to deal with it to move forward."

With Tim Kerigan officially terminated and a new board on the way, both the county commissioners and the Kerigan family hope soon they can move forward and lock this issue up.

Sheriff Joe Nugent has submitted the audit report to the FDLE to determine if Kerigan's actions could result in criminal charges.