Baugh threatens resignation, ethics investigation continues

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said Jan. 6 that she’s considering resigning at the end of 2022 because of treatment she claims to have received from other commissioners due to the Florida Commission on Ethics’ investigation into “vaccinegate.” Baugh faces claims of violating her position as an elected official by organizing a pop-up vaccine clinic in 2021 that failed to adhere to the county’s vaccine distribution policy. Baugh, who put herself and political allies at the top of the vaccination list at the clinic, said she would defend herself in Tallahassee but wanted to move on from the commission. “I haven’t been found guilty of anything. Nothing. Probable cause is not guilt. It’s not over and I think everybody on this board knows that. … I will tell you that, probably by the end of this year I will be resigning because I’ve had about all of this board I want. I have bigger and better things to think about,” Baugh said. Islander Screenshot: YouTube