Former Sebastian City Councilman Damien Gilliams, who was removed from public office by more than 93% of Sebastian citizens who voted, wants grant monies again.
We reached out to Gilliams to ask about the grant monies, but he wanted to tell us that he trademarked his name instead.
“Please spell my name right. It’s trademarked,” Gilliams told Sebastian Daily.
The grant monies were part of the Cares Act Covid-19 and provided for businesses during the pandemic. Gilliams received grant monies for the No Name Bar, but there were a few red flags after he completed an application and received funds for his real estate business.
He and his wife Bonnie Fey-Gilliams own Mid Florida Rentals, Inc., a real estate company in Sebastian. One of the qualifications for a real estate company to receive the Cares Act Covid-19 grant is that you had to have lost money from an AirBNB rental.
Allegedly, the company did not register as an AirBNB with the city, county, or state. As a result, Gilliams had to return the $5,000 grant monies.
But now, Gilliams’ attorney wrote to the City of Sebastian stating he should get the $5,000 grant, citing eligibility, plus an additional $2,000 since there was grant money left over. All businesses that were eligible received both the $5,000 and $2,000 grant.
At this time, City Attorney Manny Anon is investigating whether Gilliams is entitled to the grant monies.
We will follow up on what decision is made.
