(ESCAMBIA COUNTY, F.L.) --- When a resident asked a commissioner a question during public forum and the commissioner called the citizen’s inquiry slimy, there’s an issue with public decorum.
That is exactly what happened at the August 6 Escambia County Commissioners Gary Sansing Public Forum between Commissioner Mike Kohler and Diego Konopka, when Commissioner Kohler called the citizen's inquiry "slimy."
“It was disheartening,” Konopka, founder of the United America Political Action Committee (UAPAC), said.
“Commissioner Kohler, you are known to be an associate of Congressman Byron Donalds, who is running for governor," Konopka said, adding there is a leak of Kohler and Donalds at a private event in Pensacola. "In this video, you were there next to Congressman Donald as his campaign staff was directing people to become shareholders in Donald’s company, to help steer the direction of Florida."
(Photo: Diego Konopka criticized by Commissioner Mike Kohler for asking a question)
Konopka continued.
"Today, a government whistleblower leaked documents that showed the DOJ is investigating Byron Donalds for sex trafficking," Konopka said before citing two 2024 dates when Congressman Corey Mills and Byron Donalds allegedly solicited, procured and paid women for sexual acts at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
After laying out the facts, Konopka asked Kohler a question.
"Commissioner Kohler, are you a shareholder in Byron Donalds' company and do you rescind your personal support for the congressman?” Konopka asked.
(Photo: Commissioner Mike Kohler at August 6 BCC meeting)
“Well, first, I don’t support sex trafficking,” Kohler said. "That’s an allegation, and that is kind of cute how you did that."
Then a seemingly Freudian slip of allegiance from Kohler was next.
“I will be with the governor, or congressman on Monday," Kohler said. "If there is anything to that, I absolutely would denounce it."
Rather than end his comment there, Kohler continued.
"I think that’s kind of slimy to say that right before the election, not knowing that is alleged, but you have a right to do that," Kohler said.
However, Konopka is not the only concerned citizen, with Facebook groups posting the allegations, including Florida Politics.
(Photo: Florida Gubernatorial Candidate James Fishback August 6 X post on Congressman Byron Donalds)
Like Kohler, the news outlet notes "the charges are serious, but given the source and the timing less than two weeks before the GOP Primary, it is hard to take them seriously without corroboration.”
“Fishback said the Justice Department refused to comment on whether it was investigating Donalds, and said Donalds should “speak directly to the voters” about the unsubstantiated claim,” Florida Politics reports.
Konopka said it's hard enough to speak in a packed public forum without being criticized for a question.
“I just remember being really nervous,” Konopka said, showing the guts it took to ask after filling out the public speaker card informing officials what he was going to address. “I was just gonna talk about Byron Donalds to Kohler, and I did.”
Konopka said the only reason he asked was to ensure Kohler would not support a candidate connected to serious charges.
"Of course, he didn't answer any of the questions I gave him," Konopka said. "He ended up just calling me slimy for asking those questions before the elections, which I find odd."
As for accusations, there were none.
"I don't know whether he thought I was accusing him of supporting sex trafficking," Konopka said. "All I wanted to know was whether he had stock in Byron Donalds' company and whether he would rescind support if it were true. "
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