A resolution to censure Monroe County Legislature Ernest Flagler-Mitchell was blocked Tuesday night by the legislature’s Republican majority. The vote was 20-7.
The Democratic Caucus introduced the resolution to censure Democrat Flagler-Mitchell after an independent investigator’s report found he violated county ethics policy when he texted a photo of his genitals to a young woman. Flagler-Mitchell maintains he accidentally sent the photo, which he intended for his wife, to the young woman. Democrats made the formal request after Flagler-Mitchell refused to resign.
Democratic Minority Leader Yversha Roman said the GOP had failed to hold Flagler-Mitchell accountable for his actions and called the vote “disgraceful.”
Meanwhile, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office says it will release a report Monday on the allegations against Flagler-Mitchell. DA Sandra Doorley has previously said there was no criminal activity on Flagler-Mitchell’s part, but sent her findings to the ethics investigation. They included information that Flagler-Mitchell had sent unwanted, sexually-explicit messages to a dozen women.