An ethics complaint filed October 27, 2026, with the Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board alleges that City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow’s aide, Ryan Ray, used taxpayer-funded work hours to engage in anonymous political activity targeting city officials and influencing local political discussions.
The complaint, filed by local businessman Dr. Erwin Jackson, requests an investigation into whether Ray improperly used his public position, compensated work time or city resources for political purposes. Jackson also provided information to the city’s Inspector General.
The complaint follows an investigation by Tallahassee Reports that identified Ray as the individual behind the anonymous username “NE Moderate,” which was used to post political commentary on the Tallahassee Reports website dating back to 2022.
According to the complaint, a comparison of timestamps from anonymous posts with city employee time records revealed numerous instances when political comments were published while Ray was clocked in and receiving taxpayer-funded compensation.
The allegations also encompass approximately 1,340 social media posts published on the Leon Democrats’ X account during 2025 and 2026. These more recent posts expand the period of political activity under scrutiny beyond the anonymous Tallahassee Reports comments.
The complaint raises questions about whether political activity associated with the Leon Democrats’ account occurred during Ray’s compensated city work hours.
The anonymous comments included criticism of elected officials, including City Commissioners Dianne Williams-Cox and Curtis Richardson, as well as commentary concerning political candidates, campaigns and city government policies.
Jackson’s complaint also identifies Matlow, City Commissioner Jack Porter, Max Herrle and former Matlow campaign manager Kris Estanga as individuals who were aware Ray posted under the anonymous identity.
“Based on several documents, emails, city employees, and city time records confirm that Jeremy Matlow and his aide, Ryan Ray, have conspired to illegally take city funds and use for political activities!” Jackson said in a statement announcing the complaint.
Jackson called for an investigation, recovery of improperly used taxpayer funds and action against those responsible.
The complaint requests an examination of whether Ray used city equipment, networks or other public resources for political activity and whether supervisors or city officials knew about or permitted the alleged conduct.
The allegations raise questions about the distinction between political speech conducted on an employee’s personal time and political activity conducted while receiving taxpayer compensation.
The filing represents allegations, not findings of wrongdoing. The complaint now places Ray’s political activities, including the more recent Leon Democrats’ social media posts, under scrutiny by the city’s ethics oversight process.
