Naples mayor faces removal pressure, pleads not guilty to probation violation

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann was released from jail Tuesday night after being arrested Monday for allegedly violating her probation.

Court records show Heitmann tested positive for cannabinoids. That violates her probation from a plea deal she took earlier this year for a 2024 DUI arrest.

Heitmann is accused of driving with a blood alcohol of twice the legal limit. She plead no contest to the original DUI charge.

This second arrest is stirring up questions from city residents about what is next for the mayor and her position. A spokesperson for the city of Naples said they have no additional information about the mayor's personal intent or future plans.

In a statement provided to WINK News Tuesday, a spokesperson for the city of Naples said in part, "Naples residents and visitors can be assured that the City Council, administration and staff remain dedicated to serving our community."

The city of Naples works as a council-manager form of government, and the city charter states that in a mayor's absence, the vice mayor can fill in for certain responsibilities as needed. Some people are calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida to get involved.

Under Florida law, the governor has the authority to suspend a municipal official under certain circumstances. That suspension would be temporary, with the Florida Senate ultimately deciding whether to remove or reinstate the official.

"I think that if any elected official got into the situation that she did, that they should step down and resign," said Scott Lepore, a Collier County resident.

Lepore is a longtime Republican leader in Collier County and chair of Naples Better Government. He says he called Gov. DeSantis' office, as a private citizen, about Heitmann's arrest on Tuesday.

"I think that if the mayor were to resign or be removed by the governor, a new mayor was then sworn in, then we could move forward and have some discussions on what we need to do," Lepore said. "You cannot run the Naples Mayor's office from a jail cell."

It's unclear how, if at all, Heitmann plans to address her recent arrest. To ask her directly, WINK News reporter Maddie Herron tried her phone, her email, her office at City Hall and even her front door—all resulted in no answer.

Heitmann's lawyer, Derek Verderamo, also has yet to respond to WINK News for comment. He entered a written plea of not guilty in regards to Heitmann violating her probation, even submitting documents that show two negative drug tests taken by Heitmann the same day court documents say she failed a probation drug test in March.

"I don't think it's going to affect her governing of our city," said Naples resident Hardy Thiele. "So, everybody's a human being makes a mistake, and I hope she learned from that one."

Thiele says he is undecided on whether he wants Heitmann to stay in office. He says he was surprised with the mayor, but thinks she should be given a chance.

Heitmann's next court date is May 11. Thiele says the public should wait and see what happens.

"Let the court sort it out, and we have to take it from there on," Thiele said.

Lepore says he wants action taken so that the public can focus more on city affairs. He called this situation a distraction for the people in the city of Naples.

"For example, if [city council] wants to do a vote of no confidence, which has been discussed now, that's going to require open meeting to the public," Lepore said. "That's going to take that session away from other things that could be talked about, like fire, EMS, police, the important things."

Lepore says he called the governor's office to initiate a formal process that could lead to Heitmann's removal, meanwhile he intends to step back and respect the process of any steps that could come next. 

WINK News has reached out to Gov. DeSantis' office to ask whether he is aware of Heitmann's arrest and whether he plans to take any action in this case, but has not gotten a response from his team or from Heitmann about how she plans to address questions Naples residents may have about her next steps.