PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — An independent investigation into the employment of a legislative assistant to Pembroke Park Mayor Geoffrey Jacobs found no evidence that she failed to perform her duties and shows she responded to the town manager’s request for information three days before a stated deadline, according to a report obtained by Local 10 News.
The April 20 report was prepared by an outside law firm retained by the town to review a complaint filed by Ashley Sikora and to examine the circumstances surrounding her suspension earlier this year.
Sikora, a part time legislative assistant to the mayor, was placed on administrative leave in February after then Town Manager David Lynch raised concerns about her work activity and requested information related to outside employment.
The report states there is no evidence to support concerns that Sikora was not working the hours she reported. “There is no evidence provided to support his suspicion,” the report states, referring to concerns raised by Lynch.
The report further states that interviews conducted during the investigation, including with Sikora and Jacobs, indicate that she did perform the duties of a part-time legislative assistant. According to the report, those duties included handling phone calls and emails on behalf of the mayor.
Investigators also found that Sikora’s remote work arrangement and her residence in Alabama were known to town leadership at the time she was hired.
The report states there is no town policy prohibiting a part time employee from holding outside employment. It concludes there is no reason for her leave to continue and states the town may return her to active duty and consider awarding back pay.
Documents included in the investigation show that Lynch asked Sikora to provide details about any outside employment and set a deadline of Feb. 27. Emails included in the report show Sikora responded on Feb. 24, including responses sent at 4:25 p.m. and 4:52 p.m., three days before that deadline.
The investigation does not find that Sikora failed to comply with the request and does not conclude that any deadline was missed.
The report states that Lynch questioned whether Sikora was working the hours she reported after reviewing records produced in response to a public records request. According to the report, those records did not convince Lynch that Sikora was working, which led to further inquiry. However, the investigation concludes that those concerns were not supported by evidence.
The report also documents tension between Lynch and Jacobs. It states that several witnesses indicated Lynch’s actions may have been influenced by a dispute with the mayor, although Lynch denied that claim.
Lynch acknowledged there had been a falling-out between him and Jacobs. The report does not make a finding of misconduct against Lynch.
Since the investigation began, Lynch is no longer serving as town manager. Pembroke Park commissioners voted to remove him from the position.
As previously reported by Local 10 News, Sikora was placed on administrative leave after the station began asking questions about her role, qualifications, and work product. Public records reviewed at the time, including her town issued email account, showed mostly automated system messages and did not include legislative memos, drafted ordinances, or policy research documents.
Multiple sources inside Town Hall also told Local 10 News they were unclear about her specific duties. The investigation does not dispute those records, but concludes that the absence of traditional written work product does not establish that no work was performed.
In a statement posted on social media, Jacobs said the investigation shows his assistant performed her duties and accused Lynch of misconduct. He also criticized media coverage of the issue.
Jacobs wrote that Sikora responded before a deadline set by the town manager and stated there was no evidence she failed to perform her job.
The report leaves decisions regarding Sikora’s employment status and any back pay to town leadership.
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