JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott appointed someone who was unemployed to take a vacant spot on the Jacksonville City Council.
The Florida Times-Union reported Wednesday that Terrance Freeman had recently left his job as a lobbyist and had applied for unemployment benefits when Scott appointed the Republican to the council.
In early July Scott appointed Freeman to the seat previously held by Reginald Brown. Scott suspended Brown after he was indicted on fraud charges.
Local Democrats and residents criticized Freeman’s appointment because he never lived in the district prior to the appointment. A lawsuit is challenging the appointment.
Freeman told the paper he left his job 11 days after applying for the council spot. He said he applied for unemployment as a backup in case he didn’t get a new job.
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