PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — Pembroke Park Mayor Geoffrey Jacobs is now publicly attacking the same town manager he once helped hire.
During a heated special commission meeting on Feb. 25, Jacobs lashed out at Town Manager David Lynch, calling him a fraud during a confrontation that unfolded in front of the commission.
“He’s a charlatan. He’s a fraud. He’s got a history of fraud,” Jacobs said.
The confrontation occurred after Commissioner William Hodgkins attempted to take control of the meeting.
“I’d like to make a motion to pass the gavel, please,” Hodgkins said.
Jacobs refused.
“Absolutely not,” Jacobs replied.
“I’m chairing the meeting. I’m not passing the gavel,” Jacobs said.
Town Attorney Jacob Horowitz told commissioners that the town charter does not designate a specific presiding officer. The commission then voted to overrule Jacobs as chair for the meeting.
Before handing over the gavel, Jacobs also criticized the commission itself.
“The incompetence of this commission is astounding,” Jacobs said.
After the vote, Jacobs handed the gavel to Hodgkins and struck it on the dais.
Lynch asked that Jacobs be formally warned for his conduct. Hodgkins issued the warning.
Jacobs responded sarcastically.
“What are you going to do, spank me?” Jacobs said.
“I’ll take as many warnings as you guys want to give me,” Jacobs said.
The confrontation occurred as the town is dealing with an ongoing court case over whether Jacobs legally qualifies to serve as mayor.
Questions about Jacobs’ residency surfaced after our reporting revealed property records tied to a home in Fort Pierce. A judge has not yet issued a final ruling and Jacobs remains in office while the case proceeds.
Jacobs has also been sharply critical of Lynch on social media.
In a series of Facebook posts, Jacobs has accused the town manager of misconduct and political manipulation.
In one post, Jacobs wrote that Lynch “relinquished his law license in 2018 while facing disciplinary action involving misuse of client trust funds.”
Jacobs also accused Lynch of “attorney shopping at taxpayer expense to find someone willing to write the opinion he wanted.”
In another post, Jacobs alleged Lynch suggested he could help recover legal fees owed to Jacobs by the town if he received a portion of the money.
“When someone jokes about a kickback once, maybe it is a joke. When it keeps coming up, it stops being funny,” Jacobs wrote.
Jacobs also claimed Lynch attempted to sell the town hall building through a leaseback arrangement.
“What kind of incentive does someone have to push the sale of a 30,000 square foot public building?” Jacobs wrote.
Jacobs further accused Lynch of directing commissioners behind the scenes and attempting to silence him politically.
The current conflict stands in sharp contrast to Jacobs’ earlier support for Lynch during the town’s search for a permanent town manager in 2024.
Public meeting records show Jacobs was among the commissioners who backed Lynch during the hiring process.
During a Sept. 11, 2024 commission meeting, Jacobs spoke favorably about Lynch while commissioners discussed candidates for the position.
“I like the guy. I think he brings a lot to the town,” Jacobs said.
Three candidates were selected as finalists during the process.
Jacobs made the motion to approve Lynch’s contract
The issue returned to the commission during the October 15, 2024 regular meeting.
Lynch was seated in the audience while commissioners discussed his employment agreement.
Jacobs urged the commission to move forward with the deal.
“I believe we should go forward with the contract,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs then formally moved to approve the agreement.
“We have a contract in place. I make a motion to approve the contract for Mr. David Lynch,” Jacobs said.
Commissioner Erik Morissette seconded the motion.
The contract was approved by a three to two vote.
Commissioner Musfika Kashem voted no.
Commissioner William Hodgkins voted yes.
Commissioner Erik Morissette voted yes.
Mayor Ashira Mohammed voted no.
Commissioner Geoffrey Jacobs voted yes.
At the time, Mohammed said she had not interviewed the candidates or reviewed the contracts because she believed they did not meet the requirement of having ten years of experience as a city manager.
Jacobs later moved to approve Lynch’s appointment.
The commission took another formal vote weeks later.
During the Nov. 6, 2024 regular commission meeting, Jacobs made the motion connected to Lynch’s appointment as town manager.
“I make a motion to approve Resolution 2024-025,” Jacobs said.
Hodgkins seconded the motion.
The resolution formally approved Lynch’s employment as town manager.
The public record shows Jacobs helped move Lynch into the position by supporting him during the selection process and making motions to approve both his employment contract and the resolution confirming his appointment.
Now, the mayor who once said Lynch “brings a lot to the town” is publicly accusing him of fraud and misconduct as tensions inside Pembroke Park’s government continue to escalate.
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