The Search for the Next City Manager of Sarasota

Top Nine Candidates Selected by Consultant

Based on the background checks in the candidate reports, here are the notable areas of concern for each of the nine Sarasota City Manager finalists. This focuses on civil/criminal cases, financial issues, terminations, or noteworthy red flags (these are listed in no particular order):

1. Sonia Alves-Viveiros

Civil Records Check

County:

• Bergen County, NJ
  • August 2021 – Civil Lawsuit filed by Pulice against the Maplewood Township including Ms. Alves-Viveiros in her capacity as City Manager. Disposition: Open 
  • November 2021 – Civil Lawsuit filed by Lester against the Maplewood Township including Ms. Alves-Viveiros in her capacity as City Manager. Disposition: Open 
• Essex County, NJ 
  • November 2021 – Civil Lawsuit filed by Bell against the Maplewood Township including Ms. Alves-Viveiros in her capacity as City Manager. Disposition: Open 
• Union County, NJ 
  • January 2017 – Civil lawsuit filed Against Ms. Alves-Viveiros Disposition: January 2017, closed 
  • July 2015 – Civil lawsuit filed Against Ms. Alves-Viveiros Disposition: August 2015, default by Clerk 

Federal:

• New Jersey 
  • March 2020 – Civil Lawsuit filed by Bell against the Maplewood Township including Ms. Alves-Viveiros in her capacity as City Manager. Disposition: July 2021, Terminated 
  • May 2019 – Civil Lawsuit filed by Bell against the Maplewood Township including Ms. Alves-Viveiros in her capacity as City Manager. Disposition: February 2022, Terminated 

Candidate Explanation:

“The ones in Essex and Bergen Counties are named parties to cases related to the City of Englewood and Township of Maplewood which names me automatically as a defendant when an employee sues the municipality. They are public records which can be found at the following site: njcourts.gov 

The one in Essex County Bell vs. Maplewood, et als is for alleged wrongful termination/discrimination. The termination was of course substantiated for conduct unbecoming and several other performance issues. 

One of the Bergen County cases is for alleged ageism/discrimination for not promoting someone to a captain’s position. The employee was suspended for 20 days for major infractions therefore was not promoted. 

The second Bergen County case is for alleged discrimination/harassment, there was no action taken by me for this employee rather this employee alleges that the City harassed him during his 2 year leave for allegedly having Covid and then told to come back to work when the City doctor said he was able to. 

The others in NJ are related to a sale of a house where a buyer broke contract.“

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2. Jason Brian Davis

Criminal Records Check

County:

• Palm Beach County, FL 
  • October 2011 – Traffic Citation Accounting Transmission System (TCATS) Charge 1: Operating while Drivers License Suspended/Cancelled/Revoked Disposition: February 2012, Adjudication 

    Withheld/Criminal 

    Charge 2: Unregistered Motor Vehicle 

    Disposition: February 2012, Dismissed 

    Charge 3: Unlawful Alteration of 

    Mobile Home Tage Reg, or Sticker 

    Disposition: February 2012, Dismissed 

  • August 2009 – Traffic Citation Accounting Transmission System (TCATS) Charge 1: Operating while Drivers License Suspended/Cancelled/Revoked Disposition: August 2009, Adjudication 

    Withheld 

  • October 2007 – Traffic Citation Accounting Transmission System (TCATS) Charge 1: Florida Seat-Belt Law-Driver Not Belted 

    Disposition: January 2008, Paid Civil Penalty 

  • February 2006 – Charge 1: Driver License Not Carried/Exhibit On Demand 

    Disposition: February 2006, Dismissed 

  • February 2006 – Charge 1: Tag: None/Obscured/Defaced/ Improper Display 

    Disposition: February 2006, Adjudicated Guilty By Court 

  • June 2005 – Charge 1: Safety Belt Violations Disposition: June 2005, Adjudicated Guilty 

    By Court 

  • June 2005 – Charge 1: Open Container of Alcohol (Driver) Disposition: June 2005, Adjudicated Guilty 

    By Court 

State:

• Florida 
  • June 2009 – Charge 1: DUI Impairment Blood or Breath Alcohol of .15 or more Disposition: December 2009, Adjudicated Guilty 

    Charge 2: Violation of Core Probation 

    Disposition: December 2009, Adjudicated Guilty 

  • April 2010 – Charge 1: DUI Blood Alcohol of 08 Disposition: March 2011, Guilty 

    Charge 2: Speeding on Highways 

    Disposition: March 2011, Dismissed 

  • June 2012 – New Charge Filed Charge 3: Violation of Core Probation (DST) Disposition: Adjudicated Guilty 

    Final Disposition: July 2012 – Revoke and 

    Terminate Probation 

Civil Records Check

County:

• Palm Beach County, FL
  • June 2008 – Lawsuit filed by Emporium Shoppes LLC DBA Emporium Shoppes against Mr. Davis. Disposition: August 2010, Notice of Voluntary Dismissal 

Candidate Explanation:

“I have 2 DUIs; 6/2009 and 3/2010. Tough life lessons that I am still answering for 15 years later, but full driving privileges were restored several years ago, and I do not drink at all anymore. Also, driving is a privilege which I learned the hard way, as you noticed, no tickets since. 

The Lawsuit filed by Emporium Shoppes caused the bankruptcy response. I had a verbal agreement that if the business failed, I could just turn the keys in to the owner’s rep. After 3-4 months of no students, I had no choice but to close the business. The owner’s rep met me as discussed and I turned over the keys. A few months later I was served papers for legal action related to the lease. I called the owner’s rep and he said the owner changed his mind. I asked what I should do and he said I should check with a commercial leasing attorney. I did so and found I had signed a personal lease for a commercial property, something I never should have done. My only recourse according to the attorney was to declare bankruptcy or I would have to pay the lease for the remaining five years.“

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3. David Fraser

Civil Records Check

County:

• Laramie County, WY
  • October 2022 – Civil Lawsuit filedAgainst Mr. FraserDisposition: December 2022,

    Dismissed without prejudice

Candidate Explanation:

“Thanks for inquiring. That case was the result of a medical bill that had slipped through the cracks and was sent to collections. When we became aware of the collection, we paid the bill. Hence, the case was dismissed.”

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4. Michael Graese

• No red flags in civil, criminal, or credit history.

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5. Scott Moye

• No red flags in civil, criminal, or credit history.

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6. Daniel Porta

• No red flags in criminal or civil checks. (One traffic violation (speeding 80/65 in May 2023) resolved with fine and points (​Section 9 – Porta Danie….)

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7. Douglas Schulze

• No red flags in civil, criminal, or credit history.

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8. Lee Smith

• One federal lawsuit naming him as a party in his role as County Manager. The suit was dismissed without prejudice in May 2019. He stated he had no direct involvement and was likely automatically listed due to his role​ (Section 11 – Smith Lee ….)

Candidate Explanation:

“The lawsuit was with Chatham County and the County Sheriff. I do not recall the case details. As County Manager, I would automatically receive the lawsuit and forward it to the County Attorney. Typical for most to be terminated from the case due to no connection to the case”

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9. Mark Sohaney

• No red flags in civil, criminal, or credit history. (One 2009 speeding ticket,Disposition: December 2009 Judgment for State)

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(We used AI to comb through these files, please make sure you always check documents directly for accuracy)

View the Top 50 Candidates:

Click here to view the shared Google Drive folder containing all 50 applications.