TITUSVILLE, Fla. — New court filings in an ongoing criminal case have raised broader questions about transparency, public records compliance, and the role of city officials during Titusville’s 2024 municipal elections.
A recently filed Motion to Compel, submitted by the defense in the case involving former mayoral candidate Vickie Conklin, reveals that the City of Titusville identified more than 17,700 emails after searching just three individuals’ names, none of whom held city office or employment at the time of the election.
The filing seeks access to internal communications that defense attorneys argue may demonstrate political targeting, selective enforcement, or retaliation against candidates who challenged the status quo during the campaign.
Police Video Response Draws Scrutiny
During the height of the 2024 election season, Titusville Police Chief John Lau and Deputy Chief Todd Hutchinson released a department-produced video titled “TPD Facts and Community Policing.” The video directly addressed public statements made by Conklin, who had criticized the department’s approach to community engagement.
In a campaign interview, Conklin emphasized relationship-building between officers and local youth, describing a vision of hands-on community policing that included informal interactions like officers stopping to engage with neighborhood kids.
The police response video, however, took a sharply critical tone. The officials characterized Conklin’s remarks as “appalling” and “unacceptable,” stating emphatically, “We will not accept these types of lies.”
Legal filings later cited the video as evidence of bias, arguing that uniformed officers used city resources to publicly rebuke a political candidate who, if elected, could have exercised oversight authority over the department. The video was later removed from official city platforms without explanation.
Press Conference Before Charges Were Filed
Concerns intensified following a press conference held on October 29, 2024, one week before Election Day, during which Chief Lau announced that the department had determined Conklin committed petit theft related to the alleged removal of a campaign sign belonging to then-Mayor Andrew Connors.
At the time of the announcement, the State Attorney’s Office had not filed formal charges.
During the press conference, Chief Lau described the incident as “much more than just a theft,” framing it as an “ethical attack on our democracy.” He also stated that police could have made an immediate arrest, comments critics argue publicly presumed guilt before judicial review.
Not disclosed at the press conference, according to the Motion to Compel, was a statement attributed to Mayor Connors in which he allegedly told an officer that the signs were intentionally placed to provoke Conklin. Defense attorneys argue that omitting this context misled the public and potentially prejudiced voters during a critical stage of the election.
Social Media Activity Raises Additional Questions
The motion further alleges that officers assigned to the investigation, and in some cases their family members, discussed aspects of the case on social media before and during the election.
While details remain under examination, legal observers note that public commentary connected to an active, politically sensitive investigation can undermine due process and public confidence, particularly when elections are underway.
Public Information Role Under Review
Emails disclosed thus far indicate that the city’s public communications apparatus was actively engaged during the investigation. Amy Matthews, formerly the police department’s Public Information Officer and later hired as the City’s PIO in late 2024, is referenced in communications coordinating media activity related to the case prior to formal charges being filed.
Matthews’ role, compensation, and involvement in messaging have become part of a broader public conversation about whether city resources were used to influence public perception during the campaign.
Broader Election Integrity Concerns
The 2024 Titusville elections featured several outsider candidates advocating for transparency, environmental accountability, and increased oversight of city institutions. Some candidates and residents now question whether bureaucratic actions, including delayed public records responses and selective disclosures, created an uneven playing field.
The Motion to Compel also alleges repeated violations of Florida’s public records laws, citing delays, missing metadata, and incomplete responses to legally valid requests. Florida’s Sunshine Law requires timely access to public records, and legal experts warn that noncompliance can carry serious consequences.
What Happens Next
A court hearing on the Motion to Compel is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., before Judge Jonathan Skinner at the Moore Justice Center in Viera.
If granted, the motion could require the release of thousands of internal communications, potentially shedding light on how city officials and law enforcement interacted during the election season—and whether those actions crossed ethical or legal boundaries.
For many residents, the case has grown beyond a single defendant or allegation.
As one local observer put it, “This isn’t about politics—it’s about whether the public can trust the systems meant to protect democracy instead of shaping it.”
This article was originally published on another platform and is reposted here with edits for clarity and audience relevance. Reporting is based on publicly filed court documents and publicly available records.