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Former chamber president charged with fraud
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| By: Mark J. Crawford, Editor |
October 16, 2009 |
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Ron L. Lilly
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Ron L. Lilly, former president of the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce, was arrested Oct. 7, nearly a year after police began investigating him following his ouster from the business organization.
Sheriff Gordon Smith said the arrest was "a long time coming."
"He has been accused of betraying the trust of this community and will now be afforded the opportunity to defend his actions within the justice system," Smith said.
Lilly was charged with fraudulently obtaining property, according to the Bradford County Sheriff's Office. The Starke Police Department, which oversaw the investigation, explained Lilly instructed another chamber employee to issue him more than $5,000 in additional paychecks.
Starke Capt. Barry Warren said Lilly also issued a check for $8,500 to another person without the knowledge or approval of the chamber's board of governors.
Warren said Lilly also used chamber funds to purchase a golf cart from a Gainesville dealer for $5,800. Lilly reportedly paid in cash, telling the golf cart dealer the money was raised through chamber events, Warren said. That cart was later sold to another person for an unknown amount.
"The total amount including the additional pay checks, the purchase of the golf cart and the check written to another individual is approximately $19,401," Warren said.
The alleged activity took place between December 2007 and May 2008. Lilly was fired in November later than year.
When questions arose, the board appointed a task force to look into allegations while Lilly was placed on unpaid leave. A week later, the board fired him and vowed to turn any information uncovered over to authorities. The board had concerns about financial wrongdoings, and there was also talk of potential tampering with the results of the chamber board election.
When interviewed last November, Lilly said chamber board members were "grasping at straws" with the allegations against him. He has been unavailable for comment since his arrest.
He and wife Kim Skidmore, who ran Main Street Starke, have since parted ways. Both were hired to work for the chamber in 2004, with Skidmore overseeing chamber events until Main Street was founded. Lilly was arrested by BCSO Deputy Danny Wolfe in a shack outside their former Keystone Heights home where he was apparently living. The home is still listed in Skidmore's name.
Skidmore, who no longer lives in the area, now directs a Main Street program in Wyoming. She did not return a request for comment.
Starke Police Chief Jeff Johnson joined the sheriff in commenting on the high-profile arrest.
"The chamber of commerce is an organization that represents the best of a community, and encourages growth and prosperity within the community. For Lilly to completely undermine the purpose of that organization, this community and the trust of the citizenry, I am glad this day has come. The judicial system will decide the final outcome," Johnson said.
A search committee made up of chamber board members has been interviewing candidates to replace Lilly as chamber president in recent weeks. They are expected to make a recommendation to the board at its Oct. 22 meeting.
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©Bradford County Telegraph 2009
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