The Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement is now investigating Eatonville's new mayor.
FDLE confirmed to News 13 that it was investigating allegations against Mayor Anthony Grant, but would not confirm what those allegations are.
Grant was elected mayor earlier this month. This was not his first time as mayor of the town. He served as mayor for 15 years until 2009.
Former Mayor Bruce Mount did file a civil complaint against Grant and the Orange County Canvassing Board, questioning the validity of Grant's absentee ballots.
The news came the same day after Eatonville's police chief stepped down after Mayor Anthony Grant asked him and three others to resign.
Gene Bernal, who served as police chief for two years, submitted his letter of resignation March 26. His resignation is effective Tuesday, and Deputy Chief J. Jenkins will serve as acting chief.
Bernal told News 13 Friday he wasn't going anywhere.
"Certainly, I don't plan to resign based on one person's request," Bernal said, adamant he would continue to work for the people of Eatonville.
In his resignation letter, Bernal praised his fellow officers and the department’s accomplishments, but calls out the mayor and the chief administrative officer for trying to tarnish his reputation and good standing.
Bernal would not go into detail with News 13 about why he chose to resign, other than to say he does not see eye-to-eye with Grant.
He also said he would continue to look for work in law enforcement, but for now, plans to take some time to vacation and visit family.
Chief Administrative Officer Roger Dixon also did not offer any other specifics about the mayor’s request for these resignations.
“Well the mayor wanted to take the opportunity to look at each department and in doing so he requested the resignation letters," Dixon said.
In addition to Chief Bernal, the mayor received resignation letters from the finance and recreation directors.
The only department head who has not stepped down at the mayor’s request is the town clerk.
Dixon told News 13 that this is standard procedure to evaluate administrative roles when a new mayor takes office.
News 13 also reached out to Grant to find out why he was asking these people in particular to resign, but his assistant said he is not available.
In the interim, Eatonville’s deputy chief of police is now the acting chief.
Chief Bernal's resignation letter
