WILDWOOD, FL (352today.com) – An employee with the City of Wildwood Parks and Recreation Department was terminated and arrested after an investigation into discrepancies in city facility rental documentation, the city announced on Monday.
According to a statement released by the city, Gabriella Ascione, who has worked for the city in various capacities since the summer of 2023, was taken into custody on the afternoon of Monday, September 14, 2026.
“This is difficult news to deliver,” said City Manager Jason McHugh in the statement. “When an employee betrays the trust of not only their colleagues and supervisors but the public at large, it is beyond disappointing. Those emotions, however, cannot stand in the way of taking immediate action to right the wrong.”
Ascione, who at the time was working as an events manager for Parks and Recreation, was charged with offenses related to larceny and unauthorized use of a computer. The discrepancies in rental documentation amounted to approximately $23,000.
“The investigation and arrest came after Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Kellem received a report last month regarding discrepancies in certain cash transaction records,” read the statement, in part. “Kellem promptly conducted an internal review in collaboration with city financial officials and immediately contacted law enforcement upon confirming the abnormalities. Kellem and other city personnel cooperated fully throughout the formal investigation.”
City officials continue to review past transactions to identify any further improprieties and taken steps to compartmentalize financial tasks among departments “to provide additional controls and oversight.”