DeBary council votes to oust mayor after heated deliberations

DeBARY, Fla. – The city of DeBary on Wednesday voted to oust its mayor after finding him guilty of violating the city's charter.

Councilmembers found now former Mayor Clint Johnson guilty of eight counts of violating the city's charter. The 4-0 vote to oust Johnson came late Wednesday.

Vice Mayor Lita Handy-Peters will serve as interim mayor until the city holds a special election, which has not yet been scheduled.

The mayor was accused of directing city staff and calling for the firing of certain employees. Johnson called charges against him frivolous "with no grounds whatsoever."

Johnson said that he plans to run for re-election.

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