Judge Sets Recall Hearing For Murphy

Circuit Court Judge Kyle Cohen has set a hearing for September 8th in the recall lawsuit filed by Fort Myers Beach Town Council member Karen Woodson against former Mayor Ray Murphy.

Woodson has filed a lawsuit against Murphy in his role as co-chair of the committee to recall her from her Town Council seat. Woodson has denied all the accusations the recall committee has levied against her and is asking a judge to throw out the recall.

The hearing will be via Zoom at 1:30PM on September 8th. It will focus on a request made by Woodson’s attorney Morgan Bentley who is asking the judge to consolidate the Woodson case with Councilman John King’s case. King filed a lawsuit against former Town Councilman Bill Veach in his role as co-chair of the recall committee. Bentley is also representing King. Neither Murphy or Veach have filed any documentation with the court outlining who would be representing them. They have asked for an additional 15 days to respond to the lawsuits, which if granted, would expire August 13th.

Murphy and Veach are alleging that Woodson and King violated the state’s Sunshine Law and accepted gifts from developers. They have not provided any proof of their allegations which led to the 2 lawsuits filed. Fort Myers Beach taxpayers must pay the legal fees incurred by King and Woodson. So far about $15,000 in legal bills have been racked up by Woodson and King to defend themselves.

The recall committee must collect 505 signatures by August 20th to send the recall to a special election, which town residents must also pay for. The seats King and Woodson now hold are up for election in 2026.