An influential Republican donor and close ally of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who died by suicide, was under active investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, officials said.
“This investigation is currently ongoing and will continue until it is completed. As with all active investigations, there is limited information available to release at this time,” Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters told the Florida Times Union of the death of Kent Stermon. “Once this investigation is complete, all applicable information will be available for public disclosure.”
Sources close to the office said so Times Union the investigation involved alleged sexual misconduct. Stermon was found dead in a truck in a parking lot at a post office in Atlantic Beach, Florida, on Thursday, though no crime has been suspected.
Stermon’s death was a confusing moment in Florida politics due to his close affiliation with a host of political figures, including DeSantis, whose political operations have received more than $60,000 of his and his family’s money. When DeSantis was evicted from his congressional district after redistricting in 2016, he moved into an apartment co-owned by Stermon to run again, according to a 2018 Politics story. The governor later appointed Stermon to his transition team.
Stermon, who ran defense contractor Total Military Management, spent a total of $140,000 in state political contributions.
“The Governor and the First Lady were shocked and saddened to learn of Kent’s passing, and their prayers (and the prayers of our entire office) are with his family at this difficult time,” the governor’s office said. Politics, although it said it had no prior knowledge of the investigation.
His connections were not limited to the governor’s mansion. An investigation by WJXT found that Stermon — a prolific donor to former Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams — had had an access card to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office headquarters for the past five years, despite not working there.
After hundreds of swipes since 2017, it fell out of use on Nov. 15, just after Sheriff TK Waters was sworn in as sheriff.
The revelation was first made by attorney John Phillips, who represents a former JSO deputy, on Twitter, noting a rumor that his badge access would change. It prompted a response from, of all people, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. “You are not worthy of an answer because you are a media whore with no compass,” Curry wrote in a since-deleted tweet. ‘But you mention my friend, Kent, and I am compelled to answer. Pound of sand, motherfucker.
He was also paid handsomely in political appointments. In 2019, DeSantis appointed Stermon to the state’s 17-member board of directors, the influential body that oversees the state’s college system. Stermon’s appointment would run until 2026, according to the website.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Governor Kent Stermon,” the board said Politics. “For the past three years, Kent has served on this board with distinction. He has been a champion of higher education and student success in Florida and has been a long time supporter of the University of North Florida over the years. The Board of Directors extends its sincere condolences to Kent’s family at this difficult time.”
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