Erin Hill
Gadsden County News Service
The Florida Commission on Ethics has recommended a public censure and a $1,500 civil penalty for Gadsden County Commissioner Ronterious Green following an investigation into a conflict-of-interest complaint.
According to public records, the ethics commission adopted a settlement agreement resolving the matter after finding that Green had a conflicting contractual relationship when he voted to approve county contracts involving an individual who was also his landlord.
The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed with the commission on Feb. 3, 2025. The complaint alleged that Green participated in votes approving contracts between Gadsden County and Lockwood Construction, the company that owns the building where Green’s flower shop operates.
Records also show that in March 2022, Green’s business, The Greenery Floral & Tuxedo Place, received $250 from the county for two flower arrangements.
The complaint further alleged that Green’s landlord had received construction contracts from the county while Green was serving on the commission. The Ethics Commission determined the circumstances constituted a conflict of interest and recommended that the governor impose a public censure and reprimand along with the civil penalty.
The issue was also reviewed locally last year after Gadsden County commissioners voted in July to initiate an investigation into the matter.
Former Gadsden County and Quincy Commissioner Sherrie Taylor filed the original complaint with the state ethics commission.
In a public statement shared on social media, Green said he agreed to the settlement after consulting with his attorney.
“After consulting with my attorney, I agreed to accept a fine that was originally set at $2,500 but was ultimately reduced to $1,500. With that matter resolved, I consider the issue closed,” Green wrote.
Green also stated, “I want to be very clear: I have not done anything illegal, nor did I intentionally do anything wrong. No laws were broken, and there was never any intent to violate any rules or policies.”
In the statement, Green said the issue resulted from his participation in a consent agenda vote that involved his landlord. He noted that the landlord had been receiving county contracts for approximately a decade prior to his election to the commission.
Green also said the contract in question was approved unanimously by the board.
“I also want to make it clear that the vote on this item passed unanimously by a 5–0 vote of the board. Even if I had refrained from voting, the outcome would have been the same and the contractor still would have received the contract,” he wrote.
Green said the complaint included additional allegations that were reviewed and dismissed.
“I am grateful that this matter has now come to an end so that we can move forward,” Green wrote. “My focus remains on serving the people of Gadsden County with transparency, integrity, and accountability, and continuing the work of improving our community and representing the residents of District 5.”
