Complete Grand Jury Report Released in late June 2008
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008Palm Beach County Fall Term 2006
Grand Jury Presentment
Part B
January 31, 2007
Excerpts from
“Individual Unethical Behavior within the City of West Palm Beach Ethics Committee”
In July 2006, after her appointment to the Ethics Committee, Mary Brandenburg met with Northwood Renaissance…….she made it very clear that if Northwood Renaissance wanted to make progress in the political arena, they were going to have to play the game the way everyone else did.
…Mary Brandenburg progressed to how commissioners or elected officials could receive compensation for their votes.
Mary Brandenburg discussed the right way and the wrong way to make contributions, giving an example of an inappropriate way to offer money, bribes and bogus consulting agreements with a spouse of the elected official.
Mary Brandenburg did not act ethically in her position as an Ethics Committee member … Her goal was clear and concise: Deliver a message to the Northwood Renaissance organization. Act like all the other developers. “Pay to Play” … financial contributions will make you an insider and get you votes and support.
The Grand Jury is appalled by Mary Brandenburg’s lack of compassion and concern for the citizens of West Palm Beach. This Grand Jury is saddened by the loss of affordable housing opportunities for lower to middle income residents of the city of West Palm Beach.
Mary Brandenburg met with volunteer members of a non-profit organization and instructed that the way to successfully conduct business in the City of West Palm Beach was to write substantial checks to the Mayor’s campaign account.
Click here to download a PDF of the complete Grand Jury Report