The St. Johns County Airport Authority is embroiled in controversy once more as scrutiny mounts over former Interim Executive Director Jaime Topp. The agenda for the airport authority board’s April 14 meeting reveals an investigation by the State Attorney’s Office involving subpoenas. Key demands include:
- Timesheets and salary information for interim executive director Jaime Topp.
- Travel vouchers, expense vouchers, and reimbursement receipts for fuel, rental, lease, or use of any airplane owned by Modern Aero or its subsidiaries, utilized by Jaime Topp.
- Flight logs and plans for Jaime Topp flying Cirrus Planes, owned, leased, managed, or operated by Modern Aero or its subsidiaries.
Despite the investigation, Topp claims unawareness of any subpoenas, asserting in a recent interview that no such mention was made during discussions with the state’s attorney. The probe was prompted by allegations from current airport authority board member Jennifer Liotta, who suggested that Topp might have used Modern Aero planes for personal trips to Miami during work hours. If substantiated, this could contravene his employment contract.
Liotta stated her discovery stemmed from conversations with Modern Aero staff, revealing that Topp had rented aircraft on business days for trips to South Florida, where he purportedly has business interests. Topp refuted the breach of contract accusations, admitting to using the aircraft but clarifying he personally covered the costs, not the airport authority.
Inquiries into whether Topp operated remotely during these flights remain unanswered, as Liotta noted the lack of board approval for remote work arrangements. Attempts to obtain further details from the State Attorney’s Office regarding the subpoenas and ongoing investigation have yet to elicit a response.
Impact on Daily Life
The unfolding situation with the St. Johns County Airport Authority highlights potential implications for public trust and operational transparency within local governmental bodies. For residents and stakeholders, the probe into Topp’s activities raises concerns about oversight and accountability, particularly in public organizations tasked with managing regional infrastructure and resources.
Community confidence in the airport authority may be affected by the outcome of the investigation, influencing how public funds and assets are perceived to be utilized. Moreover, the findings could set precedents for how similar cases of potential misconduct are handled, impacting policy formulation and enforcement across other governmental entities. Ultimately, the resolution of these allegations may have lasting effects on governance standards and the expectations for public sector leadership in the area.