Allegations of providing false information against Anna Maria city commissioner candidate John Damato were delivered Aug. 28 to Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
The packet — containing deed information, Manatee County maps and copies of Damato’s candidacy material — was dropped off with an anonymous letter from “concerned residents of Anna Maria.”
A cover letter alleged Damato cannot qualify to be a city commissioner because he has not been a full-time resident of the city for at least two years. The anonymous complaint asked commissioners and the mayor to remove Damato from the election.
The complaints pointed to a short biographical statement on the Sato Real Estate website that reads, “Although I do not live on the island full-time, I stay here as often as I can and call it my home.”
The bio, however, was written in 2010, Damato said, when he began working in real estate sales.
The complaint also states Damato owns a house at 244 147th St. NE, Bradenton, as proof he’s a part-time resident and ineligible for candidacy.
Responding to the allegation, Damato said he’s been a full-time resident at 104 Mangrove Ave., Anna Maria, since August 2013, and the statements in the letter are false.
“Yes, I own a house in Bradenton and bounced back and forth at first,” said Damato. “But I live here full-time now and have the lease to prove it.”
Damato said he still owns the Bradenton house.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said he’s taking the allegations seriously and that he had spoken with city attorney Becky Vose on the matter. He wouldn’t comment further, but said he is continuing to looking into the situation.
Damato said he met Aug. 31 with Murphy and provided his lease and voter registration.
“I feel extremely positive about the meeting,” Damato said. “It’s in the mayor’s hands now, and I know he’ll do the right thing.”