Santa Rosa County Commissioner Robert “Bob” A. Cole entered a plea of no contest to one count of a non-criminal violation of the Florida Sunshine Law on Monday, according to a press release from State Attorney Bill Eddins’ office. A Walton County judge, who withheld adjudication and imposed a $500 fine on Cole, heard the case due to the recusal of all Santa Rosa County judges.
The Sunshine Law violation stems from Cole’s membership with the Milton Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board, according to the press release. Prior to a meeting on January 15, 2015, Cole discussed a matter which was scheduled to be considered by the DRAB board with Elba Robertson, a board member at the time. The discussion occurred outside a public meeting in violation of Florida law, according to the press release.
Robertson, who did not face any charges in the matter, has since resigned from DRAB.
In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Cole reiterated the recent court action.
“I have not been found guilty of any crime,” he said.
Cole said the judge’s action is not a conviction of guilt, only a fine. Cole insists he did not intentionally violate the Sunshine Law at the DRAB meeting in question, only simply responding “Yes ma’am” to a question from another board member.
“I got into trouble for doing something I have been taught my whole life,” Cole said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Commissioner Cole enters plea in Sunshine Law violation