Former Cape Coral councilwoman pleads guilty to fraud charges

Writer: Robin Wolf
Published: Updated:

Former Councilwoman Patty Cummings has pleaded guilty to three third-degree felonies for lying about where she lived while running for the District 4 council seat in 2022.

She entered her plea Monday morning in court at the Lee County Justice Center.

Cummings was sentenced to 24 months probation.

A press release from the state attorney’s office, says Cummings is ordered to pay $6,266.63 for cost of the investigation, $413 in court costs and $100 for the cost of prosecution.

Cummings is also not allowed to run for or hold an elected office while on probation.

Cummings pleaded guilty to fraudulent application for a driver’s license and two counts of false swearing in connection with or arising out of voting.

Cummings was suspended from the council in 2023 by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after the state attorney issued an arrest warrant for Cummings.

Former law enforcement officer Richard Carr was appointed by council members to the vacant District 4 seat during a Dec. 13 meeting.

WINK News spoke with Jennifer Nelson who lost the District 4 seat to Cummings in 2022, who had this to say, “I have the greatest respect for State Attorney Amira Fox and her team for their diligent and comprehensive investigation into this unfortunate matter. Their efforts have led to a resolution regarding the fraud committed, which has now been openly acknowledged and admitted by Ms. Cummings. I would like to extend my sincere wishes for her health and well-being in hearing about her recent diagnosis.”

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