Connect the Dots: County Attorney's Firm + Government Services Group (Anser Advisory) + Florida Association of Counties

Beyond the County Attorney

Recently, I published an article about our county attorney’s free book program, which is available to individuals of all ages. This initiative sparked significant interest in the attorney who has served our county for nearly 16 years. The attorney’s services are contracted through the law firm Nabors, Giblin, and Nickerson P.A., (NG&N) which has offices in Tallahassee, Tampa, and Plantation, Florida. According to its own website, the firm has focused on representing local governments since it was established in 1984. This longstanding relationship raises questions about the effectiveness and responsiveness of the legal services provided to our community.

The silence of the board of county commissioners in response to the contrasting ideology of the county attorney given the majority of Wakulla County voter demographics raises important questions. Why remain silent on such a significant issue? This lack of communication suggests a complex dynamic at play. Wakulla Reports could potentially shed light on this situation, offering insights into the motivations behind the board's restraint. Are they striving for political unity, or is there a deeper concern about the ramifications of voicing dissent? Ultimately, the need for transparency and accountability within local governance seems ever more pressing in such a context.

NG&N + GSG + FAC

In December of 1996, NG&N completed the incorporation paperwork for Government Services Group, Inc (GSG). The documents identified Virginia S. Delegal as the initial registered agent, who currently serves as the president of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC). According to Article IX of the incorporation document, the initial board of directors is to comprise five members. The article details that these members will hold their positions until the first annual meeting of the shareholders, at which point successors will be elected and qualified. The named Board of Directors are listed as:

• Robert L. Nabors

• George H Nickerson

• L. Thomas Giblin

• T. Duncan Rose

• Robert E. Sheets

Curiously, Robert E. Sheets and T. Duncan Rose are listed with the same street address as the three principals of the law firm but, with a different suite number.

Despite the initial stipulation that the board of directors would only serve until the first annual shareholders' meeting, three key members—Nabors, Giblin, and Nickerson—continued in their roles until the 2004 annual report. This report, filed on January 14, 2004, noted a significant change with the registered agent transitioning from Virgina Delegal to Heather J. Encinosa, the current county attorney. Additionally, the filing marked the removal of George Nickerson and Thomas Giblin from the board, paving the way for the appointment of two new directors, whose credentials have yet to be assessed. Notably, Robert L. Nabors retained his position as a board member until the corporation's annual filing in 2008.

Incorporating a company might seem like a straightforward step, but the implications go far beyond paperwork. The essence of understanding lies in what the company does and who its clients are. This is where the narrative becomes intriguing. The founding members, whose names are etched in the creation documents, often evolve with the business landscape.

The partial recap:

The law firm of Nabors, Giblin, and Nickerson created incorporation documents for Government Services Group, with at least one of their principals serving on the board of directors until 2008. Virginia S. Delegal, the registered agent on the initial corporate filing, was employed by and later a shareholder in Nabors, Giblin, and Nickerson, PA and currently holds the executive director position at the Florida Association of Counties. Heather Encinosa, who is now the Wakulla County Attorney, previously served as the registered agent for Government Services Group and is also a current shareholder in Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, PA. Additionally, Government Services Group is contracted by Wakulla County, and has been for many years, as a grant administrator, reflecting the ongoing connection between these entities.

Government Services Group (now Anser Advisory) plays a pivotal role in administering housing grant programs in our county, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) programs. Notably, the founding principals of the law firm contracted by the county were instrumental in establishing this group, remaining actively involved from 1996 - 2008. This connection raises significant concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest, as it highlights the strong relationships between entities that are billing local government services and receiving payments from taxpayer dollars. Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability from these organizations to ensure that funds are being utilized effectively for the community's benefit, rather than perpetuating any undue advantages for the connected entities. The intertwined history of these associations necessitates a closer examination of their operations and financial dealings to safeguard public trust and resource management.

Cliff notes:

• The county attorney's firm (Nabors, Giblin, & Nickerson aka NG&N) incorporated Government Services Group (GSG)

  • VIrginia "Ginger" Delegal, at the time working for NG&N, was the registered agent on the corporation filing

  • Virginia "Ginger" Delegal is now the Executive Director of the Florida Association of Counties

• NG&N served on the Board of Directors of GSG until 2008

• GSG is contracted by Wakulla County for grant management and possibly more. At the very least the administration of housing grant programs

• What could possibly go wrong?

..................Much, much more to come............................#staytuned