Update: Probe into allegations of improper influence at Sarasota City Hall has been closed

A Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation into allegations of improper influence at City Hall has been closed with "official documentation" expected next week, according to a city spokesperson.

An FDLE official was not immediately able to confirm the investigation's status late Thursday afternoon.

City Commissioner Erik Arroyo sent a text message to a reporter at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday stating: "Everything cleared with FDLE. No wrongdoing."

Arroyo said he had heard the FDLE probe had been closed from City Manager Marlon Brown, who had heard it from Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche.

He later texted a reporter again Friday morning, clarifying that "it is up to them to tell us that its closed and no charges are being brought," he said.

"What I said before may have been presumptive."

Arroyo's Friday morning text followed an email from Brown cautioning interested parties in how they describe the outcome of the investigation.

"I would like to caution everyone that although the case is closed please do not state that there was no wrongdoing and to please wait until the State Attorney's Office releases the documentation," Brown wrote in an email. "The State Attorney's Office has only stated that no charges will be filed."

City spokesman Drew Winchester did not confirm the investigation's outcome late Thursday, deferring additional questions to the FDLE, but he did say that the investigation has been closed.

"We have learned through the State Attorney's Office that FDLE has closed the investigation and official documentation is expected next week," Winchester said.

It is unclear what this immediately means for the stalled luxury condo development called One Park Sarasota, which is being developed in The Quay along Sarasota's Bayfront. The development had been sidelined during a hearing scheduled before city's Planning Board after word that an investigation had been launched.

One Park Sarasota-Ritz Residences lawsuit scheduled

An unrelated civil lawsuit between the developers of One Park Sarasota and the Ritz-Carlton Residences Sarasota condo board begins Aug. 14. That legal action will determine if One Park Sarasota can buy the air rights over a street that runs through The Quay development. The developer plans to build the condo building over the street if it can buy the disputed air rights.

"I appreciate FDLE's time, but of course — not surprised by the results of what is clearly a pressure campaign of baseless accusations and fishing expeditions specifically designed to influence votes at city hall," Arroyo said in a text message. "It's disappointing that residents serving their community have to endure these kinds of attacks. But regardless, I remain committed to giving everyone appearing before the city commission a fair shake."

The FDLE probe came after Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly announced that Sarasota Police Department had opened a criminal investigation on April 12 regarding a meeting that took place between a One Park silent partner and a Planning Board member.

Connolly then canceled the public hearing on the 18-story luxury condo development.

The police department handed off the investigation to FDLE because the matter involved city officials.

Arroyo became involved with the investigation in early April after allegations were made about an event he helped organize that raised more than $100,000 for a charity, the Sarasota City Foundation, he helped create. Some of the donations came from companies or individuals that had business before the commission — including donations from the company of a One Park investor at a event for the Sarasota City Foundation called The Mayor's Ball.

On Oct. 15, 2022, the City Foundation held a fundraiser called the Mayor’s Ball. Tickets were $200 a person, and the event included a silent auction for trips to destinations like Ireland and Tuscany, according to the foundation’s website.

Arroyo said in May that the foundation has paid for most expenses related to the event, but it hasn’t spent the rest of the money it raised, which was over $60,000.

The Sarasota City Foundation was created by Arroyo and a few other local residents to “bridge the gap between public and private resources to meet the immediate needs of the Sarasota Community,” according to its website.

Arroyo at the time the event was held was the city's ceremonial mayor. The title of mayor rotates each year among the city commissioners.

Meeting between developer, Planning Board member reviewed

The FDLE initially closed its review of the allegations in a letter to Sarasota Police Chief Troche in early May, but less than 24 hours later reopened the inquiry after more information was forwarded to investigators.

Jim Bridges, a Sarasota Developer and One Park partner, had met with Michael Halflants, an architect and Planning Board member, in March where they discussed a future project that Halflants could have participated in his professional capacity, according to Bridges.

One Park's development application was still being reviewed by the Planning Board, prompting Halflants to ask a city attorney about the need for him to recuse himself from the decision regarding the development application.

Derek Byrd, Bridges' defense attorney, said his client was not the focus of the probe after meeting with FDLE investigators in May.

The state law enforcement agency has not released additional information on the probe. The Herald-Tribune has requested all documents that would detail the Sarasota Police Department investigation and the FDLE inquiry.

Previous coverage: FDLE still reviewing alleged attempts to influence Sarasota officials on development

More: State Attorney Brodsky recused in FDLE probe related to Arroyo's Sarasota charity

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Update: City confirms FDLE probe closed, no charges expected in case