MY VIEW: Ocoee mayor has not benefited from city real-estate transactions

By Pam Bozkurt, broker/owner
Gosselin Realty

At the Feb. 24 Ocoee Political Forum, hosted by the West Orange Times & Observer and the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ocoee, an anonymous questioner accused incumbent Mayor Rusty Johnson of a conflict of interest with regard to real-estate transactions involving the city of Ocoee and our brokerage, Gosselin Realty. 

Mr. Johnson has been with our real-estate firm since 2004. Our agreement from Day 1 was that any business transaction conducted between Gosselin Realty and the city would be handled by either myself or my brother and co-owner, Bob Gosselin. This arrangement was put into place specifically to ensure there would never be an opportunity for a conflict of interest.  

Over the years, Gosselin Realty has developed relationships with many of the city staff. If and when we identify any potential business opportunity, we contact the city manager’s office directly. In the 12 years that Mr. Johnson has been with Gosselin Realty, we have earned commissions on three real-estate transactions involving the city. Mr. Johnson did not participate in these transactions and did not receive any commission, compensation or fees. 

Gosselin Realty has served the real-estate needs of this community since 1999. We operate our business according to the laws set forth by Florida statutes and the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics. The real-estate professionals in our office conduct themselves and their business dealings similarly. Rusty Johnson is no exception. 

To reiterate, Mr. Johnson has never received one penny on any real-estate transaction that Gosselin Realty has conducted for the city of Ocoee.