Jessica Laird, candidate for Walton County Tax Collector, has responded after a Walton County resident shared legal records from a 2014 boating incident on Facebook, appearing to show several charges against Laird and her party.
According to the arrest record, shared on Facebook by user S Alan Osborne, an officer was conducting a boating-under-the-influence investigation while Laird “continually interfered with the investigation.”
The report said “Laird was asked numerous times to remain seated and she would not comply with lawful commands. Laird began to yell at the operator of the vessel telling him to shut up and not talk. She then stood up and walked behind Deputy Sheriff Culberson while he was administering the field sobriety exercises. [The officer] gave Laird numerous commands to stop interfering with the investigation and she refused to comply by obstructing the investigation.”
According to Okaloosa County court records, Laird was charged with resisting an officer- obstruction without violence, a first-degree misdemeanor, on June 7, 2014. The court recorded no plea and the case was closed on Aug. 28, 2014.
Laird responded to the resurfaced charges in a Facebook post on Monday.
“I believe the people of Walton County deserve the complete story, not just part of it,” she said. “I have never attempted to hide this report nor deny this report. The charge referenced in that report was dismissed, and there was no conviction.”
Laird said she won’t let discourse about her past affect her campaign for Tax Collector.
“Campaigns can be challenging, and I respect that voters have important decisions to make. My hope is that those decisions are based on the complete facts, my proven record of public service, and my vision for the future of the Walton County Tax Collector’s Office.”
Mid Bay News made contact with Laird. She declined further comment but said her post on Facebook is a personal response.
