Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones bought an oceanfront condominium in Palm Beach County, Fla., last year but did not report it on a sworn form disclosing his economic interests.
Jones purchased the 1,219-square-foot condo in April 2010 for $252,500, according to Palm Beach County property records. Jones, with his mailing address in South Richmond, is listed as the sole owner of the unit on the 20th floor of the Phoenix Towers complex on Singer Island.
Jones filed his 2011 Statement of Economic Interests in January, as required by state law. On the form, Jones reported "No" when asked whether he or an immediate family member had any interest valued at $10,000 or more in real property other than his principal residence, which also was not listed as required.
Asked Tuesday about his condo and economic-interests form, Jones acknowledged the error and said an amended form would be filed with the city clerk's office. He said the initial form had been filled out by someone else for Jones' signature.
"It was a mistake that we failed to put on the form," he said in a phone interview. "It's just an oversight."
Jones, who is 63 and has not announced whether he'll seek re-election next year, said he bought the condo primarily for retirement. He said he visits "whenever I get an opportunity," although not often. He declined to be specific about his travels.
"I'm not spending any taxpayer money to do that," he said.
"He chooses not to discuss his personal life," said Tammy D. Hawley, the mayor's press secretary.
The revelation of Jones' beachfront condo comes as several members of the City Council have been criticizing the city's response to Hurricane Irene and questioning whether the mayor was present for the Aug. 27 storm.
In response to council members' questions Tuesday, Chief Administrative Officer Byron C. Marshall said that Jones was in Richmond and in regular communication with city staff during and after the storm.
"He was here," Marshall said.
A local official who knowingly files an inaccurate Statement of Economic Interests form may be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $500, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office. The official also may be dismissed from office or employment.
Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Michael N. Herring did not immediately respond to questions about the form.
In 2008, then-Mayor L. Douglas Wilder filed an amended Statement of Economic Interests form after the Richmond Times-Dispatch asked about the accuracy of his filing. With the amended form, Wilder revealed that he had understated his assets by at least $260,000. The new form was filed after the newspaper inquired about Wilder's purchase of a $386,000 riverfront condo in the Vistas on the James high-rise in Richmond. Herring's office did not pursue charges.
Jones' condo in Florida is tentatively assessed at $198,000 for 2011, down from $208,000 in 2010 and $288,000 in 2009, according to Palm Beach County records.
A commercial real estate website for Phoenix Towers describes it as a 176-unit complex with two towers on the Atlantic Ocean. Amenities include a heated pool, tennis courts, covered parking, night security, shuffleboard and a social room.
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