FORT PIERCE, Florida – The alleged tender manipulation scheme that led to Charges of aggravated crime against Fort Pierce City Manager Nick Mimms At the center is a local nonprofit group called Lincoln Park Young Professionals (LPYP).
WPTV’s investigative team worked Thursday to get answers from the group and their thoughts on Mimms’ arrest.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), it was founded by two former employees of the city of Fort Pierce.
In an FDLE press release Wednesday evening, the agency did not name the former employees but described one of them as Mimms’ niece.
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Four people are listed as public officials on LPYP’s tax returns. Two of them, Vennis Gilmore and Caleta Scott, have ties to Fort Pierce City Hall.
Gilmore is listed in the city’s personnel directory as an assistant city planner. His personnel file contains no documents indicating that he no longer works for the city, and his attendance record shows him regularly reporting to work through August 2, 2024.
Gilmore did not respond to voicemails from WPTV seeking comment. Public records list the same address as Gilmore’s home and LPYP’s office, and a “No Trespassing” sign was posted on the front door Thursday.
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According to her personnel file, Scott resigned as a city employee in 2021. She most recently worked for the city as director of the grants administration department. When contacted by WPTV, she declined to answer questions.
There are no available records linking the other two officers listed on LPYP’s tax returns to the city’s payroll, but the tax return says one of those officers is Scott’s cousin. The two officers, who did not work for the city, did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.
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LPYP had previously obtained a lease from the City of Fort Pierce for a vacant lot next to the Lincoln Theater on Avenue D with plans to convert it into a community space. According to the FDLE, a two-year investigation found that the lease was awarded in a bidding process orchestrated by Mimms in favor of LPYP.
The $10-a-year lease was terminated in May after the property was never developed.
Additionally, the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County released the following statement regarding Mimms’ arrest:
“We are surprised, as is everyone in the community. Mr. Mimms has been a consistent supporter of our organization. We reserve further comment as we, along with the rest of the community, await the outcome of these legal disputes.”
