By Susan R. Wenner
Herald Publisher/Editor
According to the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller of Seminole County, Grant Maloy, their office has reported that it received a complaint through our Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline, alleging elected county officer, Seminole County Commissioner, William “Jay” Zembower, fails to live in the district he represents.
Yet, this is something that Zembower denies and sent proof to the Sanford Herald of his address on voter registration and drivers license reflecting a Winter Springs address in the District 2 that he represents.
Jay Zembower was sworn into office on November 20, 2018 as a Seminole County Commissioner. He won re-election in 2022 and has served for over 7 years.
The office shared that residency requirements established by the Seminole County Charter and Florida Statutes are clear and mandatory for elected officials. Any evidence suggesting that an official resides outside their district they represent warrants careful review and, if confirmed, would be improper and inconsistent with the law.
Maloy added that the Clerk’s Division of Inspector General is currently reviewing the information submitted and upon completion of this review, any findings will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further consideration.
“This situation raises serious concerns that should be addressed immediately to preserve public confidence in local government,” said Maloy.
The information received by the Clerk’s office cited that a comprehensive background check and voter information showed that Commissioner Zembower’s driver’s license, vehicles, trailers, boats and a motorcycle are registered at his residence in Chuluota which is located Commission District 1.
Again, the Sanford Herald was sent the driver’s license and voter’s ID card of Zembower that clearly shows a Winter Springs address.
In regard to voting, Zembower stated, “My precinct is #50 Tuscawilla Country Club, My elderly mother resides at the same address for approximately 7 to 8 months a year and votes in the same precinct.”
He also added, “I own approximately a dozen motor vehicles, numerous trailers, motorcycles etc. These are stored at our lake property, which is in District 1, this property is acreage that serves multiple benefits to us, its large enough that it allows for large, detached garage for vehicles and vehicle evaluations, family enjoyment and recreation, including atv riding, horseback riding, boating, fishing etc. It also serves as an office and work area for my private consulting business related to transportation forensics.”
More information was included by the whistleblower that pointed out that the paperwork for his candidacy, campaigns and county paystubs lists his residence as an address in Winter Springs listed in his name and his mother’s name.
In a search done by the Sanford Herald in records of Seminole County Property Appraiser site it was discovered that Zembower was shown with three addresses. A business and two residential addresses. Only one address in Winter Springs, District 2, had a homestead exemption filed.
The letter continued by saying that “Commissioner Zembower has registered to vote and voted in Winter Springs elections, but yet he has requested mail-in ballots be sent to his primary residence in Chuluota. This indicates he has been illegally voting in elections where he does not reside. Commissioner Zembower’s registered corporation, Transmatic, Inc, has him listed as an officer at his residence in Chuluota.
The person filing the complaint showed the Seminole County Clerk’s office juror information on Zembower listing his residence not at the Winter Springs address but instead in Chuluota.
The informant also shared that in 2022 Zembower contributed to Governor DeSantis’ reelection campaign and listed 3 addresses including Chuluota, Winter Springs and his business address in Altamonte Springs.
This informant sent more evidence showing that Commissioner Zembower is indeed residing in Chuluota, (District 1), and not residing in the district which he was elected and votes, Winter Springs (District 2) and included some documents to support their claims.
The Seminole County Charter requires: "...Each candidate for the office of Commissioner shall reside within the district from which such candidate seeks election...and during the term of office each Commissioner shall reside in the district from which such Commissioner ran for office..." Section 2.2 (A) - Seminole County Charter.
The anonymous person also added that “this is a serious offense as both the Florida Statutes (114.01(1)(g)) and Florida Constitution (Article X, section 3) require an immediate vacancy of office for elected officials who no longer live in their elected district. Also registering to vote and then voting in a precinct out of his residence is a violation of FS 101.045(1) and “a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084." as explained in FS 104.011 and 320.02(6) states that “Any person who registers his or her motor vehicle by means of false or fraudulent representations made in any application for registration is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. The department may demand the return of, and may cancel, any license plate issued based on false or fraudulent representations.”
Also written in the letter to the county, “These transgressions are not without merit and are extremely concerning to the residents of Seminole County. A local elected official so blatantly, openly and boldly skirting the law is intolerable and must be ended immediately if the Seminole County government is to maintain any modicum of integrity. Therefore I request the following actions be taken: An immediate resignation and vacancy from office, an investigation and charge for voter fraud for registering and voting in a district in which he does not reside, an investigation and charge for fraudulently campaigning and serving in a district in which he does not reside, a full investigation into his driver’s license and vehicle registrations that may be fraudulent and a full ethics investigation into any misuse of funds including his salaries, pension, per diems, reimbursements, and any other benefits or privileges received, during his illegitimate tenure in office.”
When asked how he feels about these allegation, Zembower cited, “Its part of being an elected in these times to an extent. However, I will leave options open in any action which may be taken.”
