Island Police Chief Al Schettino advised all members of the City Council and City Attorney Alan Gabriel that an initial investigation regarding a "battery complaint" had been made to his office regarding City Manager Lee Niblock.
The incident involves a well-respected young professional woman on
Marco Island bringing forward the complaint to law enforcement.
The initial investigation began almost two weeks ago, however it wasn't until this last Friday that the official complaint was lodged, in addition to turning over electronic evidence and the official statement from the victim. Chief Schettino has turned that evidence over to the
Collier County Sheriff's Office to lead the investigation.
If a victim has only been threatened verbally then that would constitute an "assault." The actual physical contact with another would establish the basis for a "battery" charge.
Chief Schettino's office would release no further information concerning the case due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Niblock officially began work as the Marco Island
City Manager on December 4, 2017. This, after an initial failed search that saw the Mercer Group bring back a second tier of candidates after the first group was rejected by council. Niblock was fired by
Alachua County in the late summer of 2017 and was one of four finalists brought forward in November for the position on Marco Island.
Marco Island City Council will meet on Tuesday, February 20 at 5:30 PM in council chambers at
51 Bald Eagle Drive.
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Bills note: The investigation is sent to the
Sheriff's office because MIPD Chief Schiettino works for CM Niblock.
Mr. Niblock was not available for comment on the story.
