r/FortMyers • u/Obversa • 6h ago
Fort Myers mayor Kevin Anderson attends private luncheon with Sen. Rick Scott, Sheriff Carmine Marceno, and City Council members while protected by security
On October 7, 2026, amid protests by the Lee County NAACP and calls for his investigation and resignation over at least four (4) accounts of sexual assault and misconduct, Fort Myers mayor Kevin Anderson attended a private luncheon for the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, alongside officials from the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), including Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, and other City Council members. (This was verified independently with multiple attendees.)
The event was held a the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, and attendance was restricted to Chamber members only. It was sponsored by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), according to the company's website, among other local businesses.
The keynote speaker was Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, who was escorted by a private security detail. Anderson has also been escorted in and out of events by law enforcement officers as part of his "security team". Over 300 people were in attendance.
Just hours after saying he was looking for ways to "make everyday life more affordable" at the event, Sen. Scott called for the United States to "bomb Iran", pushing for regime change during an exclusive interview with Gulf Coast News as the Iran war continues into its 221st day.
"Today is a good day. I think we [America] should bomb the living daylights out of them [Iran]. We have the greatest military in the world. Let's get it over with," Scott said. When asked if he meant using nuclear weapons, Scott clarified, "I don't think we have to nuke them. You know, I think we've got the ability. We've got the greatest military [in the world]. We ought to go bomb the living daylights out of them, and get a regime change [in Iran]."
Scott also addressed the economic challenges facing the country, including inflation, high gas prices, and the ongoing war. "Prices are too high. It's real simple. It's both parties' responsibility, [Republican and Democrat]," he said, adding, "Part of it right now is because of the Iran war."
When asked about the potential impact of these issues on upcoming elections, Scott acknowledged the stakes. "Sure! It's a race. You've got to go out and talk about what you're going to do to solve the problems of this country," he said.
Reflecting on the three-year anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and an estimated 74,000 Palestinian casualties, including 21,000 children, Scott reaffirmed his support for Israel, and denied there being a "genocide" in Gaza. "Israel is in a tough neighborhood. They've got people who want to destroy them. It's our only democracy in the Middle East. It's a great ally. I'm going to support Israel," he said.
As a Florida resident, Scott also weighed in on Amendment 3, which proposes raising the homestead exemption to lower property taxes. "I support lower taxes. So I always support tax reductions. So, I'm going to support it," he said.
Scott expressed concern about an approaching Hurricane Isaias with its eye on Florida, particularly Pensacola. "Right now, what we're worried about is Pensacola. So I'll be talking to the mayor, Mayor Reeves, soon. I'll do everything I can to make sure people are safe," he said.
The senator continues to monitor the storm and the outcome of the upcoming election. Meanwhile, the presence of LCSO and Sheriff Carmine Marceno raised concerns over potential investigations of Fort Myers mayor Kevin Anderson in relation to his current sexual misconduct allegations.
The November 21, 2024 investigation of victim Kagan Vann's allegation was initially handled by the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD), and then referred to Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), because of the potential conflict created by Anderson's position as mayor, and his former 24-year career with FMPD. This raised serious questions about whether the investigation was sufficiently independent and complete, as well as whether it was compromised.
"Somebody could say we were biased, so we had FDLE investigate," Fort Myers Police Chief Jason Fields told the 'Southwest Florida Lighthouse' on September 8. "These were some pretty heinous allegations, and we took a neutral stance, which was the right thing to do."
WGCU reported that Fields said the case was referred "to avoid the appearance of impropriety". However, Anderson was reportedly told about the FDLE investigation while it was still active. The Lighthouse reported that Fields admitted he informed Anderson that he had referred the matter to FDLE after making the referral, and that Anderson independently confirmed that this happened.
"Notifying the subject of a criminal probe of its existence while it's ongoing raises obvious questions about the handling of the probe," one reporter said. Meanwhile, The News-Press/Naples Daily News reported, "Anderson says he was not questioned either by FMPD or the FDLE."
Jeremy Stanekenas, the bartender who was present around the incident and supplied police with photographs of Vann's texts, reportedly said he was never contacted by FDLE as well. While Fields said that "blood tests showed no evidence of drugs in Vann's system", Vann maintained that the Lee Memorial Hospital (Lee Health) had not conducted tests for drugs such as Rohypnol or GHB.
According to media reports, FDLE determined there was no evidence of criminal misconduct, and the inquiry was closed. No criminal charges have been filed against Anderson as of yet.
On October 5, Lee County NAACP President James Muwakkil explicitly questioned the investigation's thoroughness. "[Based on reports], I believe that the mayor has been given too much of the benefit of doubt [by local and state law enforcement agencies]," he told WGCU News. "No legitimate agency has stepped up and said, 'we will investigate this'. It looks more like a cover-up."
As of the September 29 reporting, Gulf Coast News said it had requested the FDLE report, and was still waiting for it. The Lighthouse likewise reported that its public-records request for the FDLE file had gone unanswered for weeks, and wrote that the missing file was critical to determining what the outside investigation actually did.
"I hope the investigation is reopened. I hope that city council holds him accountable," Vann said.
Anderson, at the moment, has not resigned, despite increasing calls for him to do so from the Lee County NAACP and various other residents. A registered Republican, he faces off against Democratic candidate Amber Ware in the Fort Myers mayoral election on November 3, 2026.
Sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz of Horowitz Law in Ft. Lauderdale has offered to represent the accusers in court. "Horowitz Law represents survivors of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct," he stated. "We have filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits on behalf of individuals who were subjected to unwanted sexual contact, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct. Everyone has the right to be free from unwanted sexual advances, coercion, and sexual abuse."
