Gilzean's Juvenile Welfare Board CEO Vote Stirs Controversy

0:00It's April 8th. Welcome in. This is Tampa Bay News today, where local news meets AI. I'm Cory with the story. The juvenile welfare board in Pinellas County just picked Gleen Gillesian as their next CEO in a razor-thin six to five vote with public defender Sarah, Molo breaking the tie, over interim boss Michael McCorock. Gilles Ann, a go-to appointee for Governor Ron DeSantis, beat out two other finalists for the gig, paying between 200,000 and 200. $45,000 a year. They need one more vote in two weeks to seal it. Board members swear the choice ain't political, but text messages tell a different story, showing some hitting up allies in DeSantis circles to lock, in support. In support, one key player, Brian Angst Jr., a lawyer and multiple DeSantis board appointee, texted folks from the old Disney oversight district about. Flipping votes from state attorney Bruce Bartlett and Molo. Locals are fired up, with Pinellas Commissioner Chris LaValla,

1:00calling it a power grab to tweak the board's special act and redirect its kit focused. Budget. McCorock even lawyer it up over defamation claims from another board member, demanding phone records. Critics say after 80 years serving Pinellas kids, this feels like politics over people. New texts reveal Angst plotting with Charbell Barricot, ADR, Horton exec, and ex vice share on that DeSantis Disney board, saying they've got plenty of time to push Gilzean through. Gilzean himself texted thanks to supporter Melissa Rutland for her vote, though she says she didn't reply. He denies past spending scandals from his elections supervisor role. Ethics watchers like Bobby Block from the First Amendment Foundation say no sunshine law break, but it stinks and ships away at trust. The board stands by Gilzean's quals for protecting local kids. Final votes coming, stay tuned as this plays out.