The Florida Commission on Ethics has found probable cause that Marco Island City Councilwoman Tamara Goehler abused her position and tried to influence the content of a police report following a dog attack involving her pets.
The case centers on an incident from Dec. 7, when Marco Island police were called to Columbus Way for reports of a dog attack. Two “terrier-type” dogs belonging to Goehler escaped from her home, ran across the street, and attacked a small dog being walked by a 13-year-old girl. As she tried to protect her pet, the girl was bitten on the forearm, according to a police report filed by the Marco Island Police Department.
Julianne Jones, the girl's mother, called 911 after the attack. She says that while officers were taking statements, Goehler entered her home without permission.
“When she entered my home, it was aggressive. I assumed she was the owner of the two dogs that attacked my daughter and my brand-new puppy," Jones said during a Marco Island City Council meeting in December.
Jones claims in both police reports and the ethics investigation that Goehler also grabbed her daughter’s arm to inspect the injury and immediately began challenging the officers on scene.
“She repeatedly yelled at officers, ‘Do you know who I am?’ And said she would contact the chief of police. Her behavior was disrespectful and very arrogant," Jones said.
A preliminary investigation done by the state explains how Goehler allegedly attempted to use her elected position to sway how officers documented the attack. The Ethics Commission’s findings confirm there’s enough evidence to move forward with a full investigation into whether she abused her office.
“I’ve gone from angry to disheartened,” Jones said.
In her formal response to the allegations filed with the Ethics Commission, Goehler denied wrongdoing. She claimed she was invited into the home, said the girl’s injury was just a scratch, and denied using her government title to influence police. She also suggested the situation was politically motivated, noting that Jones and her children supported another candidate during the last city council election.
Jones, however, said this isn’t about politics:
If the Ethics Commission ultimately rules against her, Goehler could be fined, suspended from public office, or removed from the Marco Island City Council entirely.
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