Delores L. Walker, Free Press Reporter

Marilyn Wimberly, Tax Collector for Lafayette County, has agreed to accept the findings of the Florida Commission on Ethics in a case involving a property deed.



The Commission issued an agreement on Thursday, June 5 calling for a public reprimand and a civil penalty of $5000 to be paid by Wimberly.



In the release by the Commission on Ethics, Wimberly admitted that she violated state law when she directed her staff to “act as notary and witnesses on a deed without actually witnessing the signature of the purported grantor.”



According to state and county records Wimberly’s late husband, Joseph W. Russell, who was terminally ill, signed a deed for property to be deeded to his son Joseph Kevin Russell. Wimberly agreed with the Commission’s finding that she took the signed deed to her employees to notarize and witness even though they had not seen Russell sign the document. This action violates Section 112.313(6), Florida Statues.



“Everything was done according to the wishes of my husband, but I do accept responsibility for the findings of the Ethics Board and will follow through,” said Wimberly.