The deputy mayor for West Melbourne has resigned his post amid allegations of defrauding a charity, but will remain on the city council.

  • John Tice resigns as West Melbourne deputy mayor
  • Will remain on city council, will not be at meeting
  • Accused of defrauding a local charity

John Tice was arrested last week, accused of diverting $7,000 meant for the Honor America/Liberty Bell Museum for his personal use.

Tice, who has served on the West Melbourne City Council since 2014, is accused of using the money for Miami Dolphins tickets, sports memorabilia and paying personal debt.

The money came from a roofing company that made the donation after doing work for the museum.

State Rep. Randy Fine, whose district includes West Melbourne, asked Gov. Scott to remove Tice from office, but that hasn't happened yet.

While Tice will remain on the city council, he will not be at Tuesday night's meeting, blaming his absence on a medical procedure.

The investigation was launched by the Brevard Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Task Force in May of 2017, when Melbourne City Council and officials were made aware of the alleged fraud, when Tice was serving as the museum's executive director.

The Sheriff's Office says the donation was made in 2015 by a roofing company hired to do work for the museum. When the company made the $7,000 donation, Tice allegedly told the company to take its check back and reissue payment to another groups, Brevard Hall of Fame.

Tice was registered as president of the Hall of Fame, but the Sheriff's Office said the Brevard Hall of Fame was not an active charity at the time the donation was made.

Tice was relieved as executive director for the museum in February 2016 for an unrelated matter. The investigation into the diverted donation began in May 2017.