Committee recommends reappointment of Jeffrey Aaron to PERC despite questions about ties to Hope Florida and state contracts

The Senate committee recommended Jeffrey Aaron for reappointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission by a recorded vote after a hearing that drew repeated questions about potential conflicts of interest related to state contracts, his role as general counsel to a board, and political activity.

Aaron, who summarized his legal career and PERC’s litigation record, told the committee that PERC issues come before the commission within a narrow statutory remit and that he strives to be neutral. He said the commission had issued thousands of final orders and that appellate courts had sustained PERC decisions in cases that reached them.

Sen. Polsky and others questioned Aaron about contracts his law firm has held with state agencies (the transcript shows recurring state contracts totalling $2,180,000 in the past 2½ years as reported during questioning) and his position as counsel to entities connected in public reporting to the Hope Florida Foundation and settlement-related matters. Aaron declined to discuss specific details about the settlement and payments, saying he was not at liberty to address the subject because of ongoing matters. "I very much would like to talk about that, but I have to assume that I am not at liberty to discuss anything around that subject matter," Aaron told the committee.

Sen. Polsky and other senators said the committee lacked sufficient answers about how certain settlement funds were used and whether any accountability followed. Supporters of Aaron pointed to his litigation record and argued his commission role has a narrow focus; they also said litigation would check improper conduct. A public witness (Florida Voice for the Unborn) waived in strong opposition to Aaron’s reappointment.

Motion and vote: Sen. Bradley moved to recommend Aaron; the roll call recorded five yes votes and three no votes. The committee recommended Aaron favorably to the full Senate.

Aaron’s reappointment now moves to the full Senate for consideration; senators signaled differing views about whether outstanding investigative or prosecutorial matters should affect confirmation votes.