JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Members of one of the unions representing JEA employees is reacting to the verdict reached in the JEA corruption trial.
Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn was found guilty on conspiracy and wire fraud. Former CFO Ryan Wannemacher was found not guilty.
Ronnie Burris, a longtime JEA employee and the current business manager for the Local 630, said he feels like justice was served in the courtroom Friday.
“I know all the employees are happy that had to live through what they did, what he put them through. They're very happy," Burris said.
Burris and members of the union have been vocal about their feelings towards Zahn and Wannemacher. He said they felt like they were being pushed around while Zahn was CEO.
"They had to live with just the pressure of not knowing if tomorrow they had a job," Burris said.
While he would have liked to see charges brought against more people, Burris said he was not surprised by Wannemacher's 'not guilty' verdict.
"I think that they were really going after Zahn. I don't believe they really wanted Wannemacher, I think he was just caught up in Zahn’s mess," Burris said.
Jacksonville attorney and First Coast News legal analyst, Shannon Schott, said the jury heard testimony that made Wannemacher look better than Zahn.
"We've heard in the testimony that the jury heard that Wannemacher was this great guy, super trustworthy, whereas that testimony did not come to fruition for Zahn. So certainly that could have been what made a difference for these two juries," Schott explained.
Schott also does not believe this will be the end of this case. She expects Zahn's attorneys to appeal.
"There could be conflicts in the evidence that maybe the jury ignored, certainly there could be things that they argue. Additionally, they can also appeal the sentence if and when that is imposed. And they will probably have to wait for both to happen in order to really move forward with the appeals process," Schott said.
Burris said he received messages from his union members celebrating the guilty verdict. He said they are ready to move forward from this difficult time in their lives.
“I think that's what we all have to do now. I mean, it's something that will never live through again, and it's something that we'll never forget," Burris said.
Zahn will be sentenced on June 18. Burris said he is hoping for the maximum sentence which is 25 years.