SVAA Director Nicole Carni: 'I'm on paid administrative leave and I'm cooperating fully'

Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority Director Nicole Carni called NSBNews.net Sunday morning and said she's given Volusia County officials all documentation requested by the auditors Friday and Saturday. The County Council on Thursday gave County Manager Jim Dinneen the green light on Thursday to seize the SVAA's books after its auditor found a number of red flags that necessitated him having authorization to proceed that day.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Nicole Carni reached out to NSBNews.net this morning and said she knows she's up against the ropes in keeping her job, but she stopped short of saying if she'll fight or walk away.

"I'm on paid administrative leave and I'm cooperating fully," she said in a 6 a.m. interview. "All documentation requested by the auditors and the county have been submitted."

Carni said she was told by SVAA Chairman David Kosmas on Thursday that she was being placed on administrative leave, and though she initially told NSBNews.net the following day she didn't know if it was with pay, she explained they spoke again later in the day and that he clarified for her that it was paid and her leave indefinite while the county continues its investigation into the agency's finances.

Carni is paid $2,759 every two weeks and that will continue unless or until she either resigns or fights to keep her job with the paperwork she has since submitted. She declined to elaborate on what the county needed clarification on.

Carni said Kosmas told her that the county was willing to entertain an "exit strategy" for her, but she would have to submit it to her own board, if she goes that route. 

"I can't say right now what I am going to do," Carni said. The next SVAA board meeting is Jan. 17 and that is the first opportunity where a resignation could be tendered.

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