Cape Coral councilman responds after being scrutinized for email threat, public behavior

A Cape Coral councilman has gained negative attention after he was caught on camera with a mask over his entire face at the most recent city council meeting. He also abruptly left the meeting prior to that one. Now, a Cape Coral businessman says he was directly threatened by the elected leader.

Jay LaGace, a real estate agent, says Councilman Rick Williams in Cape Coral sent him a threatening email amid public scrutiny of the council member’s recent behavior.

“It’s horrendous to have an elected official threaten you in an email,” Lagace said.

LaGace checked his inbox Wednesday morning to find an email from Williams that upset him.

“It says ‘Keep this crap up, and you will start seeing some very negative reviews on your realty blog and Jay LaGace realtor website,’ signed Rick Williams, council member District 6, Cape Coral, Florida,” LaGace said.

The response came after LaGace contacted the council with a photo, which was a screen capture from a video circulating on Facebook of Williams briefly wearing a mask over his eyes during an emergency meeting.

“If he’s going to do something that ridiculous to me, how can I or anyone else in the city expect him to pay attention to what’s going on and city council, vote on certain things for the city council, or anything on the city council,” LaGace said.

Williams did not respond to our request for comment. He is already under scrutiny for his recent past behavior.

Councilwoman Jennifer Nelson says the council will be addressing all of his actions in a meeting July 20.

“I know I’m not responsible for Council Member Williams’ actions or certainly what he says or types,” Nelson said. “But I do apologize as a fellow teammate and elected official who sits with Council Member Williams.”

“It’s just not a way you should conduct yourself ever, especially in a position where more is expected of you,” Nelson said.

Nelson says she’s researching what next steps to take, including potential suspension or behavioral adjustment.

After the original story aired, Nelson reached out to WINK News again to provide further comment about Williams.

“I am confident we will have a discussion regarding him leaving early for multiple meetings,” Nelson said. “In terms of next steps, after reviewing the Florida Statute, an elected official cannot be removed from office for unprofessional or inappropriate behavior unless it involves incompetence, drunkenness, neglect of duty of malfeasance.”

LaGace says Williams should be removed.

“It’s going viral everywhere,”” he said. “I mean, everyone’s going to realize and everybody’s going to know that what this guy is like, ‘Looney Tunes.’”

Both LaGace and Nelson say, while they want to get to the bottom of Williams’ behavior, they’re also concerned about his health and want to make sure he’s OK.

Councilman Williams’ statement shared by city

“I would like to address the video that circulated following Monday night’s City Council meeting. In the video, it appears that I am sleeping,” Williams said in a statement. “This was not the case. My eyes were suddenly burning and tearing from something in the room. As I listened to Council’s comments, I leaned back in my chair and pulled my mask over my eyes to protect them. I did not consider how this may have looked to those in attendance, which was a mistake.”

“I apologize to my fellow Council members, those in attendance and the community for my actions. I also want to apologize to Jay LaGace for an email response that I sent reacting to his social media post earlier that day. My comments in that email were out of line. I’d like to reaffirm my continuing commitment to representing all our Cape Coral residents in a professional and respectful manner.”

Cape Coral mayor’s statement

Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello released a statement in reference to Williams wearing a mask over his eyes.

“It’s extremely concerning for a member of council to act with such disregard and disrespect towards the people he represents,” coviello shared in a statement with WINK News. “It’s now up to Council Member Williams to explain his action to the mayor, fellow council members and his constituents.”

Mayor Coviello did not respond to our request for comment about Williams’ email.