Fort Pierce City Manager Mimms Convicted of Corruption

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday that former Fort Pierce City Manager Nick Mimms' conviction marks the first major outcome from the state's public corruption unit, with more cases pending statewide.

A St. Lucie County jury found Mimms guilty of official misconduct, a third-degree felony, but acquitted him on bid-tampering charges. Prosecutors said Mimms used his position in 2024 to benefit a nonprofit organization whose board included his niece, securing a city-owned parcel near the Lincoln Theater without disclosing the family connection.

The nonprofit later received hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding from a Catholic charitable organization for development on the property, though the project never materialized.

"The facts make clear that shenanigans took place to ensure that nonprofit ended up with the award, and ultimately the city manager covered it up," Uthmeier said. "We'll keep digging."

The public corruption unit has opened more than 25 active investigations statewide since its launch. Uthmeier said the Mimms case is the first of many announcements to come as prosecutors build cases against officials who abused their office.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Larry Keefe called public corruption investigations a top priority. Mimms' sentencing is pending.