Florida Bar Reopens Inquiry Into Attorney's Testimony Before BOCC

The Florida Bar reopened a formal review on December 4, 2025 into attorney Jennifer C. Rey, who has been identified as legal counsel for the Dawn Center in prior county matters. The action follows allegations that Rey provided misleading testimony to the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners during a July 22, 2025 public hearing about a federal Community Development issue. The bar has advanced the complaint to a formal inquiry stage, the next step in its disciplinary process.

Under the Florida Bar process, a complaint moves from intake to investigation and may ultimately proceed to prosecution before the bar grievance system. Any disciplinary outcome would come only after that established sequence of review. The move to a formal inquiry signals the state level bar is treating the allegations with sufficient seriousness to seek more evidence and clarification.

For Hernando County officials and residents the inquiry touches on core concerns about transparency in public meetings and the reliability of testimony that influences local decisions. Public hearings on federal Community Development matters can affect grant allocations, program oversight, and eligibility for federal funds. If testimony before the BOCC is later found to have been misleading, that could complicate past or future actions by the board and prompt renewed scrutiny of how legal representatives communicate with county government.

The matter also involves an organization identified in prior county business as being represented by Rey. Community stakeholders who work with county programs, and clients served by entities that interact with the county, have a direct interest in the outcome because ethical standards for attorneys play a role in maintaining fair access to resources and accountable local governance.

The Florida Bar inquiry remains ongoing. County officials have the option to review meeting records and refer matters to appropriate local or federal offices if warranted. Meanwhile the unfolding bar process will determine whether formal charges are filed, and whether any professional sanctions follow. The situation underscores the importance of clear public testimony, and it places legal ethics at the center of local public administration.