Central Florida Tourism Oversight District administrator resigns from Florida ethics commission to keep $400k job

Glen Gilzean, head of the Florida Commission on Ethics, has resigned from his position following a conflict of interest with his new role on Ron DeSantis' Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Glen Gilzean speaking on May 10 at his appointment as District Administrator

Last week, Steven Zuilkowski, the ethics commission's general counsel, released a legal opinion stating that Glen Gilzean cannot continue to serve as Florida's ethics commission chairman and continue as the administrator of CFTOD in a $400k a year position.

Florida State law does not allow public employees to serve on the government ethic commission, meaning Gilzean had to resign from one of his roles.

In a letter sent to the Florida Commission on Ethics, Gilzean said, "After reviewing the matter with legal counsel, I have decided that prudence dictates that I discontinue serving in one of the two positions. Therefore, I respectfully tender my resignation from the Florida Commission on Ethics, effective immediately."

Gilzean is an ally of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who appointed him to the Florida Commission on Ethics. He was also part of DeSantis' working group for reopening Florida during the COVID pandemic.

In its short life, DeSantis' CFTOD has already run into a number of personnel issues. Board member Michael Sasso resigned from his board position after less than four months on the job.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board will next meet on August 23, 2023.