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Tag: LeAnne Addy

Former Anna Maria treasurer files lawsuit against city 

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Featured.

This story was updated on Tuesday, May 19, at 5:40 p.m., to clarify that the city treasurer is not deemed by the city charter to be an administrative officer whose termination requires city commission authorization. The city charter deems the city clerk, the city attorney, the superintendent of public works and the building official as the city’s charter-established administrative officers.

ANNA MARIA – Former city treasurer LeAnne (Addy) Endres has filed a lawsuit against the city of Anna Maria alleging wrongful termination, age and disability discrimination, public whistleblower retaliation and more. 

The lawsuit complaint also addresses the alleged misuse of city funds, the surveillance of a city employee and discussion about a potentially fraudulent FEMA claim. 

Tallahassee-based employment law and civil rights attorney Marie Mattox filed the 21-page civil lawsuit complaint with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Bradenton on April 9. The complaint names Endres as the plaintiff and the city of Anna Maria as the defendant. 

“This is an action brought under the Florida Civil Rights Act. This action involves claims which are, individually, in excess of $50,000, exclusive of costs and interest,” the complaint states. 

The complaint demands a jury trial. The case is assigned to Judge Charles Sniffen.

On May 16, The Sun emailed City Attorney Becky Vose and Mayor Mark Short seeking their comments on the lawsuit. 

Short wrote, “The city contests the allegations in the complaint and outside counsel will vigorously defend the case in court.”

In an email to The Sun, Mayor Mark Short said the city contests the lawsuit allegations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

As of Tuesday, May 19, the city’s formal written response to the lawsuit complaint had not yet been filed.

ANNA MARIA TENURE

In August 2016, Addy, a Minnesota resident, was hired by Mayor Dan Murphy, with city commission authorization, to serve as city clerk. In March 2017, the city commission unanimously approved Murphy’s request to appoint Addy to also serve as city treasurer and finance director. 

In 2017, City Clerk LeAnne Addy was also named city treasurer and finance director. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In January 2023, Addy and Andrew James Endres were issued a Florida marriage license and certificate of marriage, which is on file with the Manatee County Clerk of the Court’s office.

In January 2025, Amber LaRowe was hired to serve as the city clerk because the city clerk’s position and the city treasurer’s job were being divided into two separate positions again. In March 2025, LaRowe began her tenure as the city clerk, with Endres serving as the city treasurer.

On March 27, 2025, Amber LaRowe, left, was sworn in as city clerk by then-city clerk LeAnne (Addy) Endres. – Carolyn Orshak | Submitted

On Nov. 17, 2025, Short terminated the city treasurer’s employment. 

When confirming the termination in an email provided to the media, Short stated, “As of Monday, Nov. 17, City Treasurer LeAnne Addy is no longer employed by the city of Anna Maria.”

Short did not provide any additional details about the treasurer’s departure. 

In February, Randy Maxon was named the new city treasurer.

According to her Facebook page, Endres now works as a realtor in the Artisan Lakes, Palmetto and Tampa Bay areas.

LAWSUIT ALLEGATIONS

According to the lawsuit complaint, “On or around December 19, plaintiff (Endres) received a notice of internal investigation letter from Short, via email, which falsely alleged that plaintiff improperly used city funds and account points for personal use. 

“On or around January 5, plaintiff denied these spurious claims in an email to LaRowe and Short. Throughout plaintiff’s employment with defendant, she always ensured that receipts for city purchases were turned in correctly. Plaintiff contends that these allegations are further retaliatory treatment against plaintiff for engaging in protected activity.”

The complaint alleges Endres, 57, was subjected to disparate treatment and retaliation due to her age, her chronic autoimmune disorder and because she reported employment activities she felt were unlawful.

“The disparate treatment and retaliation came at the hands of, specifically but not limited to, plaintiff’s direct supervisor, Mayor Mark Short, and City Clerk Amber LaRowe,” the complaint alleges.

Attorney Marie Mattox is representing the former city treasurer. – Mattox Law | Submitted

The complaint states Endres, in the summer of 2025, verbally reported concerns to LaRowe and Short regarding the employment status of two part-time code enforcement employees. 

“Short and LaRowe dismissed plaintiff’s concerns, refusing to follow standard procedures regarding 1099-contracted workers. LaRowe and Short stated that they did not want to pay benefits such as Florida State Retirement, which would be required if they hired Fuller or Bloom as permanent part-time employees,” the complaint alleges.

EMPLOYEE SURVEILLANCE

The complaint alleges that on or around September 2025, Endres was in LaRowe’s office with LaRowe and then-Code Enforcement Manager Dave DeZutter when LaRowe and DeZutter suggested tracking Public Works Director Dean Jones by hiding an AirTag tracking device in his work vehicle without his knowledge because they deemed him to be “suspicious.”

The complaint states Endres advised LaRowe and Dezutter against using an AirTag and she suggested they look into a Verizon employee tracking service instead, which would allow them to properly track employees with their permission and notification. 

“Dezutter and LaRowe dismissed plaintiff’s concerns, stating that hiding an AirTag in Jones’ car seemed to be a simple option,” the complaint alleges. 

The lawsuit alleges an AirTag surveillance device was placed in the public works director’s work vehicle. – Apple.com | Submitted

“On or around November 10, Jones verbally reported to plaintiff that he found an AirTag hidden in his work vehicle. On or around November 13, 2025, Dean called plaintiff to inform her that he filed a police report with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department regarding the AirTag in his car and the sheriff’s department advised that the AirTag would have to be turned in to them,” the complaint states. 

“On November 17, plaintiff engaged in protected activity when she reported the information she received from Jones in an email to Short and LaRowe. Plaintiff noted in her email that she was requesting confirmation that tracking devices or monitoring tools were not being used on any employee of defendant (the city). Short and LaRowe failed to act on or respond to this report,” the complaint alleges.

“Approximately five minutes later, in retaliation for plaintiff’s protected report, plaintiff received a termination notice from Short via email, with an offer for voluntary resignation. Defendant failed to provide a cause for plaintiff’s termination in the letter, violating the city charter policy,” the complaint alleges.

“After plaintiff refused to resign, Short sent plaintiff an email stating that the offer to resign voluntarily had been rescinded, threatening to withhold plaintiff’s severance payment pending the outcome of a post-termination audit. She has not received the severance payment to date. Further, defendant refused to provide plaintiff with her accrued vacation pay,” the complaint alleges.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS

The complaint claims Endres’ position as city treasurer was protected by the city charter and her termination required cause, city commission approval and due process.

According to Section 4.03 of the city charter, the city’s administrative officers are the city clerk, the city attorney, the superintendent of public works and the building official. The city charter does not list the city treasurer as an administrative officer. The charter says the city commission may designate other officers as administrative officers by ordinance.

Section 4.03. of the city charter addresses the powers and duties of the mayor and says, the mayor shall:

“a. Appoint all administrative officers provided for under this charter, with compensation to be fixed by the city commission; suspend with pay such officers for the good of the city; suspend without pay or terminate such officers for cause, provided, such action is approved by a majority of the city commission at its next regular meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose.”

“b. Employ and have general supervision of all employees of the city at compensation to be fixed by the city commission; suspend with or without pay, terminate or otherwise discipline such non-administrative employees in accordance with personnel policies and procedures adopted by the city commission.”

“c. Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the city, except as otherwise provided by this charter or by law.”

Sec. 5.04 of the Anna Maria city charter says, “The mayor, with the approval of the city commission, shall appoint a city treasurer who shall be bonded.”

Sec. 5.03 of the charter says, “The city clerk may, if appointed by the mayor with approval of the city commission, fulfill the office and duties of city treasurer.” 

HURRICANE REPAIRS

“Shortly after March 25, 2025, Short met with plaintiff and Public Works Director Dean Jones. Short suggested that they illegally claim that a previously damaged seawall was damaged as a result of a recent hurricane to request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) finance the repairs,” the complaint alleges. 

“Plaintiff immediately objected to this suggestion, pointing out that it would go against FEMA policy. Short continued to list several other items for FEMA repair financing, to which plaintiff continued to oppose, as the items were unrelated to the recent hurricane, as it was illegal to have FEMA pay for these repairs,” the complaint alleges.

ADA, AGE ALLEGATIONS

The complaint states Endres suffers from chronic autoimmune disorder, which affected her daily and work life, yet she was able to perform the essential functions of her position.

“On or around October 28, 2025, plaintiff submitted an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) request to Short and LaRowe via email to receive accommodations for short breaks and minor schedule adjustments, including increased remote work, due to her disability. Plaintiff was never provided a response or the requested accommodations,” the complaint states.

The complaint also says, “Plaintiff has been the victim of discrimination on the basis of her age in that she was treated differently than similarly situated younger employees of defendant and has been subject to hostility and poor treatment on the basis, at least in part, of her age.

“On or around April 10, 2025, plaintiff attended a staffing discussion regarding hiring for a finance assistant position. During the meeting, Short verbally advised that he was ‘looking for someone in their thirties,’ and did not wish to hire anyone old, to which LaRowe agreed,” the complaint alleges.

The complaint alleges younger city employees received pay increases and Endres did not.

RELIEF SOUGHT

In closing, the complaint says, “Plaintiff demands judgment against defendant for the following: That this court grant equitable relief against defendant under the applicable counts set forth, mandating defendant’s obedience to the laws enumerated herein and providing other equitable relief to plaintiff; enter judgment against defendant and for plaintiff awarding all legally available general and compensatory damages and economic loss to plaintiff from defendant for defendant’s violations of law; enter judgment against defendant and for plaintiff permanently enjoining defendant from future violations of law enumerated herein; enter judgment against defendant and for plaintiff awarding plaintiff attorney’s fees and costs; and grant such other further relief as being just and proper under the circumstances, including but not limited to reinstatement.”

Mayor provides ‘by the numbers’ hurricane report

Mayor provides ‘Ian by the numbers’ hurricane report

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Former Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland praised the city’s Hurricane Ian cleanup and recovery efforts, particularly the efforts of new Public Works Manager Ryan Wieland.

Wieland was promoted to the position in July, after then-manager Dean Jones accepted an assistant public works director’s position with the city of Bradenton.

Mayor provides ‘by the numbers’ hurricane report
Public Works Manager Ryan Wieland received praise for his efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“I want to thank the mayor, the commission and the staff for the fine job they did getting Anna Maria back together after the storm. I particularly would like to thank Ryan for the job he did. He was here from sunup almost to sundown. I had contact with him several times. He always had time to deal with you in a professional way. He makes you feel like your problem is his problem and he’d do what he could to solve it. An excellent job,” Copeland said when providing public input during the Oct. 13 Anna Maria City Commission meeting.

“Thank you, Ryan and your crew,” Commission Chair Carol Carter added.

Ian by the numbers

During the Oct. 13 meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy provided an “Ian by the numbers” recap of the hurricane’s impact in Anna Maria.

“Debris was the biggest issue we had as a result of Hurricane Ian. We will, by the end of this, have removed 85 truckloads of debris. That’s a huge amount,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the city’s hurricane-related communications efforts included emails sent to city commissioners and residents and business owners who previously provided their email addresses for inclusion in the city’s database. Over a seven-day period, the city sent out 65 email blasts that totaled 16,520 emails sent. We did 55 web updates, putting new information on the (city) website,” Murphy told the commission.

Murphy said city staff worked 150 overtime hours. Building department personnel visited 45 active construction sites. The most common storm-related occurrences they found were tipped-over portable toilets, storm debris and silt fences that had been knocked down.

Code enforcement personnel also made their rounds and identified 18 code infractions, including swimming pools where fences had been knocked down.

“That’s a safety concern,” Murphy said.

Murphy said 126 street signs and stop signs were impacted by Hurricane Ian and he noted first responders often rely on street signs when responding to an emergency, as do visitors and others. Murphy said many signs were knocked over or displaced and others disappeared completely. He said some of the missing street signs may have been taken as souvenirs.

Murphy said Hurricane Ian’s total cost to the city to date was $190,000, a figure that includes debris removal, overtime pay, materials and supplies and more. City Clerk/Treasurer LeAnne Addy is now leading the city’s ef- forts to receive FEMA reimbursement for those hurricane-related expenses.

The property damage throughout the city to non-city-owned properties and businesses was estimated to be $300,000, which Murphy said pales in comparison to the damage suffered in the harder-hit areas to the south.

“We were so fortunate, and our staff really stepped up,” Murphy said.

Murphy and city staff engaged in post-hurricane debriefings in an attempt to learn what can be done better before, during and after the next hurricane.

Public records portal questioned and clarified

City offers new option for requesting public records

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – The city’s new online public records portal is an option for those seeking records, not a requirement, according to city officials.

On March 3, City Clerk LeAnne Addy distributed a flyer announcing the launch of the city’s new public records portal, leading some to believe it was the only way to obtain records.

“All records requests will be done through our secure online portal beginning on March 7,” the flyer noted, while also providing information on how to access the new portal through the city’s website.

However, in order to remain compliant with state law, the city and the city clerk’s office must continue to accept public records requests through other means that include emails, phone calls and in-person requests.

During the March 24 city commission meeting, Commission Chair Carol Carter sought clarification on the new public records portal.

“There was some feedback in one of the papers,” Carter said.

“This is just an additional way to get public records,” City Attorney Becky Vose said. “It didn’t get rid of the tried and true ways that everybody’s always done in the past,”

Vose also noted the traditional means of submitting a public records request can sometimes be more difficult to track.

“It didn’t get rid of the existing system?” Commissioner Robert Kingan asked.

“It did not and it cannot,” Vose replied.

“And it hasn’t,” Addy said.

“This was not an attempt to hinder access to public records,” Mayor Dan Murphy said, adding that the intent was to ensure there’s a record of all requests received and that all requests are acknowledged.

Addy said city employees and staff members may not realize they’ve received a public records request.

“I’ve been handling public records requests for many years. The issue I see is several people requesting records from multiple employees and staff throughout the city. My recommendation is to use the portal because you can log in anytime to see where your request is. When it’s complete, you get email notification.”

Addy also addressed the online registration form required of first-time portal users.

“I understand the (state) law says you can’t ask who’s doing the request, but if there’s a payment that’s needed someone has to make a payment. If you need a simple document that I can pull up in two minutes, I’m not going to charge,” Addy said.

She noted the city doesn’t charge for records requests that take less than 30 minutes of staff time to fulfill.

Mayor and former city employee discuss recent firing

Mayor and former city employee discuss recent firing

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – City officials and former Code and Parking Enforcement Officer and administrative assistant Angela Albrecht hold differing views on the events that preceded her recent firing.

Albrecht was fired on Jan. 24 after meeting with Vice Mayor Brian Seymour, City Clerk LeAnne Addy and Deputy Clerk Debbie Haynes. Mayor Dan Murphy was on a cruise when the firing took place and was not consulted on the decision. Seymour, as the City Commission chair, was serving as the acting mayor and based on input received from Addy, Haynes and labor attorney Brian Koji, decided to terminate Albrecht.

According to Addy’s notes from the Jan. 24 meeting, Seymour wanted to address an email Albrecht sent Addy that day. He also wanted to address Albrecht’s allegation that the three of them were overheard discussing a need to talk to City Attorney Becky Vose about firing Albrecht.

According to the meeting notes, Seymour told Albrecht that Vose was not consulted because she’s not the city’s labor attorney. Albrecht told Seymour she would not resign, and he would have to fire her.

“Brian stated to Angela that we have tried working with her for over six months. Due to the tone of her emails, her unprofessionalism and the argumentative nature he will be letting her go today,” according to the meeting notes.

The printout of those notes was later signed by Seymour, Addy and Haynes.

Mayor and former city employee discuss recent firing
Vice Mayor Brian Seymour and Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes were part of the decision-making process that led to Albrecht’s termination. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

On Feb. 7, Mayor Dan Murphy discussed the firing. He referenced the employee handbook when asked if he felt the firing was justified.

“Continued employment with the city is at the will and pleasure of the city of Anna Maria and as such employment may be terminated or disciplinary action taken without cause. Employees are hired and fired as ‘at-will’ employees and as such the city maintains the right to end your job with or without cause,” he said.

Albrecht on firing

When contacted by The Sun on Feb. 7, Albrecht was asked if she felt she was wrongly terminated.

“Yes,” she said, noting that she doesn’t feel the reasons for her firing were fully explained.

“They didn’t go into any specifics,” she said.

When asked if she plans to file a lawsuit against the city, Albrecht referenced a comment Murphy made to the press about being happy to tell the truth if this matter winds up in court. He also referred to her as a disgruntled employee.

“Right now, I don’t. After he made that comment I am going to look into it,” Albrecht said of a possible lawsuit. “I’m not a disgruntled employee.”

Albrecht alleges parking tickets were issued by non-certified parking enforcement officers.

“Some of the officers did not complete the certification course. Some officers were allowed to issue parking tickets without that certification,” she said.

Pam Gibbs was the Code and Building Department Manager until she retired in early 2018. Haynes is now the Code Enforcement Manager in charge of parking enforcement.

Albrecht said she felt code enforcement officers were no longer allowed to enforce pool fence and other safety issues after Murphy’s mid-2018 directive that parking, signs and trash issues be the primary enforcement concerns.

“If a fence isn’t closed there’s no way of knowing if there’s a pool behind there. I feel I should have been able to do my full job, like I did before,” Albrecht said.

Albrecht said her work environment became “toxic” after Gibbs retired and those supervisory responsibilities were transferred to recently-hired Building Official David Greenbaum.

“Nice guy, but he just didn’t know the job. I think he was in over his head,” Albrecht said.

Greenbaum was replaced by current Building Official Luke Curtis last summer.

On Feb. 5, Albrecht emailed city commissioners regarding the joint meeting of the Charter Review Committee and the City Commission scheduled for the following day. That meeting was to include discussion on whether Anna Maria needs a city manager. Albrecht’s email alleged Addy desired that position.

Addy applied for the city of Rockledge, Florida’s city manager’s position in June 2016 and was hired as Anna Maria’s clerk in August 2016.

Albrecht’s email referenced her Jan. 24 meeting with Seymour and said, “The background of City Clerk LeAnne Addy needs to be investigated. Public records I have received from the state of Wisconsin shows a past of bankruptcy, foreclosures and other issues.”

“There’s no shame in filing bankruptcy. It was fully disclosed to me before I hired her, I took it into account and I have no regrets,” Murphy said of hiring Addy, a former City Clerk in Wisconsin, who acknowledged the bankruptcy and foreclosure resulting from her husband’s job loss.

Additional allegations

On Dec. 3, the city received notification from the Spielberger Law Group that Albrecht was alleging the city violated federal and state employment laws and was in the process of filing discrimination charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

That letter was preceded by a July 16 letter from the same law firm.

“Our investigation indicates the city’s treatment of Ms. Albrecht violates state law. City has subjected Ms. Albrecht to disparate treatment in retaliation to a complaint she had previously filed. Specifically, Ms. Albrecht contacted Mayor Dan Murphy to report unlawful and unethical practices, including a building official who allows those without work permits to work on certain projects,” the July letter said.

The July letter alleged the city harassed Albrecht rather than responding to her complaint and noted that Albrecht felt she was being positioned for termination.

“Our investigation suggests that city retaliated against Ms. Albrecht in violation of Florida’s Private Whistleblower Act,” the letter said.

“It is my understanding those are closed,” Albrecht said of the issues raised in those letters.

Disciplinary action

Albrecht received a written reprimand from Haynes on Jan. 16 regarding her conduct on Jan. 11.

Haynes serves as the Code Enforcement Manager and oversees parking enforcement.

Her reprimand stated Albrecht willfully and intentionally ignored a known safety issue and failed to report it to her. The issue stemmed partially from Albrecht’s dissatisfaction with Murphy’s 2018 directive that code enforcement officers concentrate primarily on parking, sign and trash issues.

“That directive did prioritize parking, debris and signage and cannot be interpreted by any competent code enforcement officer as requiring you to ignore safety. Your dissatisfaction with your job assignments is contributing to your misconduct and negative attitude. That type of conduct and attitude must cease immediately,” the reprimand said.

“The city has expanded considerable energy working to accommodate you. Please be advised that any continued misconduct or failure to meet the expectations of the city will result in more serious discipline, up to and including the termination of your employment,” the reprimand concluded.

In response to Haynes, Albrecht wrote, “You chose not to follow up on any of the open case items sent to you, including the pool safety fence at 752 North Shore.”

Parking and permits

Murphy addressed Albrecht’s assertion that parking tickets were written by uncertified parking officers.

The city took over parking enforcement in 2015. Before that, parking was enforced by the Anna Maria branch of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

“My directions, since the very beginning of parking enforcement in 2015, were that every code enforcement officer must be certified. But in 2017, for two months, tickets were issued by an uncertified officer. I was not cognizant of that until yesterday and I’m still investigating,” Murphy said.

Murphy said he reviewed 15-20 tickets written by the uncertified officer and he feels the photos that accompany the citations support their validity.

Murphy said he asked Vose if state certification is required for the city’s parking enforcement officers.

“The state has requirements for certification, but Florida Home Rule seems to supersede that requirement. If a city wants to have a different certification program they can do so,” Murphy said.

Murphy addressed Albrecht’s claim that Addy ordered the building department to close fence permits in early 2018 without conducting final inspections.

“I can’t imagine how the city clerk would be involved in closing a permit when permits are the purview of the city planner and the building official,” Murphy said.