Cape Coral's finance director stands behind allegations against local leaders

The woman at the center of an investigation into Cape Coral's leadership is sharing her side of things once again.

STATE ROAD 29...FROM SEARS ROADTO COUNTY ROAD 832 ARE SHUTDOWN.TONIGHT WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON ASTORY WE’VE BEEN FOLLOWING FORMONTHS.THE WOMAN AT THE CENTER OF ANINVESTIGATION INTO CAPE CORAL’SLEADERSHIP IS SHARING HER SIDEOF THINGS ONCE AGAIN.VICTORIA BATEMAN IS THE CITY’SFINANCE DIRECTOR -- AND BACK INDECEMBER SHE WROTE A LETTER TOTHE CITY COUNCIL ACCUSING CITYMANAGER --JOHN SZERLAG AND CITYBUSINESS MANAGER JAY MURPHY --OFMISCONDUCT.THOSE ACCUSATIONS LED TO ANINDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION --WHICH WRAPPED UP TWO WEEKS AGO.IN THE END -- INVESTIGATORSDECIDED THAT THERE WASN’T ENOUGHEVIDENCE TO SUPPORT SOME OF HERCLAIMS -- AND IT CALLED OTHERS"FALSE."TONIGHT BATEMAN’S ATTORNEYRELEASED A STATEMENT ON HERBEHALF THAT SAYS IN PART:"MS. BATEMAN STANDS FIRMLYBEHIND HER ALLEGATIONS.

THE CITYMANAGER HAS NOT BEEN"EXONERATED" OR "VINDICATED."INSTEAD, THE BROWN REPORTSUBSTANTIATES MUCH OF MS.BATEMAN’S CLAIMS."BATEMAN WAS PLACED ON PAID LEAVELATE LAST YEAR -- AND THE CITYSAYS SHE WILL REMAIN ON THATLEAVE UNTIL THE RESULT