Jane MusgraveMichael Napoleone faces two insiders, David Ottey and Michael W. Jones, plus a former assistant WPB attorney.
Four months after Palm Beach County commissioners tapped a longtime politician to be county administrator, Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone is one of four candidates who could be named county attorney.
Napoleone, who has been mayor of the village since last year and has served on the council since 2016, will compete against two chief assistant county attorneys and a former West Palm Beach city attorney for the county’s second-most powerful post.
Commissioners plan to make a selection Tuesday.
When four-year County Attorney Denise Coffman announced in August she would leave the roughly $245,000-a-year job on Dec. 19, she urged commissioners to consider replacing her with one of her top assistants. She gave special shoutouts to Chief Assistant County Attorneys David Ottey and Michael W. Jones.
Both on Thursday made the shortlist along with former Assistant West Palm Beach Attorney K. Denise Haire. After working for the city for six years, she spent two years representing municipalities while working for a West Palm Beach law firm, and in July opened her own office in Jupiter.
Napoleone offered something the others could not provide. As former clerk of court and state lawmaker Joe Abruzzo did to land the county administrator post, Napoleone pointed to his experience as an elected official.
“I would bring to the role a steady legal hand, a collaborative temperament, and a proven record of leadership rooted in public service,” he wrote on his application. “Perhaps most importantly, I would bring a much-needed fresh perspective to the County Attorney’s Office.”
He could not be reached for comment as to whether he would step down as mayor if he becomes county attorney.
No background checks
While commissioners generally agreed on which of the seven applicants should be interviewed for the post, two voiced concern that no vetting had been done to make sure none of the candidates had potentially embarrassing blots on their records.
Commissioner Gregg Weiss said he had uncovered unsettling information about one of the applicants, who did not make the cut. But, since no background checks had been done, others may have potentially embarrassing relics in their closets, he said.
“All we have is a resume. We know nothing about the backgrounds of these folks,” Weiss said. “They could have legal issues of their own. There could be other issues in their backgrounds and we don’t have any of that information in front of us.”
The job is too important to hire someone without researching them thoroughly, he said. “This position is responsible for protecting the board, the county, the people of Palm Beach County,” Weiss said. “Potentially millions of dollars are at stake by the decisions that they make.”
After Human Resources Director David Kahn said he would conduct criminal, financial and social media background checks on each of the candidates, Weiss and the other commissioners agreed to continue with plans for private interviews on Monday and public interviews on Tuesday. Afterward, a selection is to be made.
Commissioner Sachs goes her own way
But, Commissioner Maria Sachs balked. She declined to name her top picks and voted against those the commission selected.
Instead, she said, she would interview all seven candidates. Since the three that didn’t make the shortlist don’t live in the county, and one lives in California, she said she would talk to them on Zoom, if necessary.
“I do not think we have enough information presented to us today to make an informed decision,” she said.
But, Coffman said, only the four the commission selected could be considered for the post. That is the process the commission established and it must be followed, she said.
Commissioner Marci Woodward was not at the meeting, but sent her top choices to Abruzzo, who shared them publicly.
If Haire isn’t selected, it will mark the first time in nearly 30 years that a woman named Denise hasn’t led the county attorney’s office. Coffman succeeded Denise Nieman, who served as the commission’s top legal adviser for a record-breaking 25 years.
Coffman was plucked from Nieman’s staff, a path Ottey and Jones hope to follow. Both are University of Florida Law School graduates.
Napoleone, by contrast, has spent 25 years working for the Day Pitney law firm, formerly Richman Greer. On his resume, he said he has handled a wide variety of civil litigation, including contract, employment, land use and zoning conflicts. He is a former president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association.
As an elected official, he said he served on various countywide boards, giving him broad knowledge of the issues facing the county.
“Palm Beach County is entering a new chapter, one defined by growth, innovation, and complexity,” Napoleone wrote. “I believe this moment demands a county attorney who not only understands the law, but also understands this place — its people, its values, and its promise.”
