Key West Officials Face Corruption Allegations

Key West Corruption Scandal: Ramsingh Brothers and City Officials Face Criminal Charges

Key West, FL — April 2025: The tranquil façade of Key West politics has been disrupted by a wave of controversy surrounding three influential city officials. City Attorney Ron Ramsingh, Chief Building Official Raj Ramsingh, and Code Compliance Director Jim Young are facing felony charges stemming from an investigation that has rocked public confidence in municipal leadership.

The trio stands accused of evidence tampering, specifically deleting text messages critical to an ongoing probe into misconduct within the city’s building department. According to the indictment, these deletions occurred between August 23 and September 16, 2024, and involved communications from June 1 to June 28, 2024. The charges are tied to the abrupt firing of City Manager Al Childress, which passed by a narrow 4-3 vote on June 26, 2024—an event now seen as a key moment in this unfolding legal drama.

City Attorney Ron Ramsingh faces additional felony charges for illegally intercepting a confidential Zoom call in May 2024 and sharing its contents without consent. As a result, his bond was set at $75,000, compared to $25,000 each for Raj Ramsingh and Jim Young following their April 15, 2025, arrests. All three men are presumed innocent, but the implications of their alleged actions have already sparked public outcry and an administrative response.

City spokeswoman Alyson Crean confirmed that both the building and code compliance departments remain functional, even as Raj Ramsingh and Jim Young were placed on paid administrative leave on April 16, 2025. Meanwhile, a special city commission meeting has been scheduled for April 21, 2025, at 5 p.m., where the commission will address Ron Ramsingh’s employment status.

The charges carry weighty consequences. If convicted, each official could face up to five years in state prison per count. Ron Ramsingh also risks disbarment, while all three could face permanent removal from public office.

These events were initially brought to light by concerned resident Robert Jensen, who warned the city commission of potential misconduct during a public meeting on October 10, 2024. His comments indicated a broader climate of scrutiny, referencing other investigations involving the Tourist Development Council, county audits, and the Supervisor of Elections campaign.

This case is the result of a collaborative investigation by the FBI and Monroe County State Attorney’s Office, following a 55-page internal review that scrutinized Raj Ramsingh’s activities in the building department. Previous claims against him included self-inspecting properties, issuing permits to his own business, and making misleading omissions on official forms.

For a city defined by its mantra of “One Human Family,” this high-profile scandal marks a turning point. While government services continue uninterrupted, the unfolding legal proceedings have intensified calls for greater transparency, accountability, and ethical oversight in local governance.