John Tice Resigns as West Melbourne Deputy Mayor After Arrest, Says He Will Remain On City Council

Rep. Randy Fine has called for Tice's removal From Office by Florida Gov. Rick Scott

SPACE COAST DAILY TV: The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Task Force culminated an investigation on March 29 into the allegations of fraudulent activities with the arrest of 65-year-old John Franklin Tice.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – John Tice, who was arrested last week and charged with fraud-related felonies, announced his resignation as West Melbourne Deputy Mayor, but said we will attempt to continue serving as a city council member even though Rep. Randy Fine has called for his removal by Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

Last Thursday, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Task Force announced it had culminated an investigation into the allegations of fraudulent activities with the arrest of Tice.

“You are all aware of the recent publicity surrounding charges against me,” said Tice in a letter to the West Melbourne city council.

“These charges have nothing to do with my work as a member of the City Council, or my duties as Deputy Mayor. Nonetheless, to avoid any unnecessary distraction, and in light of my unavailability for Tuesday night’s meeting, I believe that it is in the best interest of the City that I resign my position as Deputy Mayor at this time.

“I will continue to serve as a member of the city council, as elected by the good people of West Melbourne,”  said Tice.

According to Brevard County Sheriff’s Office PIO Tod Goodyear, an arrest warrant was issued by a judge charging him with Scheme to Defraud under $20,000, Communications Fraud, Depositing an item with the intent to Defraud and Grand Theft.

Tice, 65, was booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex and released on a $ 20,000 bond last Friday.

“The investigation was initiated in May of 2017, after the Melbourne City Council and city officials were made aware of possible fraudulent activities conducted by Tice when he served as the Executive Director of the Honor America/Liberty Bell Museum,” said Goodyear.

“The suspicions centered around a donation that was diverted by Tice from the Liberty Bell Museum financial accounts to the Brevard Hall of Fame financial accounts of which Tice was registered as the President. It was believed that Tice used this money for personal use.”

The investigation has revealed that in 2015, Tice was put in charge of securing a contractor to repair the roof of the museum. Tice secured a proposal from a roofing company to make the repairs and the City of Melbourne and the museum would split the cost.

Upon receiving the first payment, the roofing company made a monetary donation of $7,000 via a check payable to the museum. Tice directed the roofing company to take the check back and reissue the check payable to the Brevard Hall of Fame.

Tice then used those funds for personal purchases such as Miami Dolphin season tickets, Pro football memorabilia, restaurants and personal debt payments.

“Agents found that the Brevard Hall of Fame was not an active charity at the time, having had no meetings as is required by the State of Florida,” said Goodyear.

“Tice was relieved of his position as Executive Director of the museum in February of 2016 for another unrelated matter.”

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, Titusville Police Department, Melbourne Police Department, Cocoa Police Department and a dedicated attorney from the State Attorney’s Office.

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