Mr. Gunter’s Boat Scandal: Questions He Can’t Dodge

In a recent interview, Mr. Gunter confidently declared that he has done “nothing illegal or unethical” while in office. But the facts tell a very different story.

After taking delivery of his custom-ordered boat, Mr. Gunter chose to register it in Delaware, a state that conveniently charges no sales tax on boats. That decision alone should raise every red flag possible. Why would a Florida official, whose boat never left Cape Coral waters, register it in another state? The answer seems obvious: to avoid paying Florida taxes.

If Mr. Gunter truly bought his boat and paid sales taxes in Florida, as he indicates, then he would have owed the maximum $18,000 luxury tax under Florida law. He now insists that he paid it at the time of purchase yet, despite repeated calls for transparency, he has offered no proof whatsoever of this payment.

NO PROOF IS OFFERED BY THIS DOCUMENT

Here’s the problem: if he intended to register the boat in Delaware where no such tax applies why would he have paid the $18,000? And if he really did pay it, why not simply register the boat in Florida, as the law requires?

There’s a deeper question that demands an answer: Did he pay the tax, register in Delaware anyway, and then quietly claim a refund?

Until Mr. Gunter produces documented proof, the public has every right to assume something isn’t adding up.

What the Law Says and What Gunter Ignored

Florida law couldn’t be clearer. Under Title XXIV, Chapter 328, any vessel that is used, operated, or stored in Florida must be titled and registered in Florida within 30 days of purchase. The only exceptions listed under subsections (2) and (3) do not apply here.

Mr. Gunter’s boat registration number DL5825AP was registered in Delaware right after he took possession. Yet the vessel never left Cape Coral. That’s not just suspicious; it’s a blatant violation of both Florida and Delaware law. Both states require vessels to be registered in the state where they are primarily operated.

The Shadow of Fraud

Florida’s tax code, Title XIV, Chapter 212.085, spells out what happens when someone fraudulently claims an exemption to evade taxes. The penalties are steep a 200% fine on the tax owed and potential charges for a third-degree felony.

If Mr. Gunter or anyone acting on his behalf filed misleading or false information with Delaware to avoid paying Florida taxes, that’s not a “clerical error.” That’s tax fraud.

Even more troubling is the timing. Records show Mr. Gunter applied for a Florida Certificate of Title one day after a law enforcement complaint was filed. One day. That’s not coincidence that’s panic. Someone tipped him off, and he scrambled to cover his tracks.

Ignorance Won’t Save Him

Let’s be clear: claiming ignorance won’t cut it. Mr. Gunter might try to argue that someone else handled the paperwork or that he didn’t understand the laws. But under Florida Statute 328.01(1), only the vessel’s owner can apply for a title no one else.

And for a man who proudly claims to have “studied criminal justice,” he should know better. He’s told others, “ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Perhaps it’s time he took his own advice.

If this investigation confirms that he filed false statements or doctored documents, Mr. Gunter could be facing multiple third-degree felony charges.

Accountability Must Come First

Mr. Gunter has enjoyed the privileges of public office but with that privilege comes responsibility. He doesn’t get to bend the law to his convenience or hide behind technicalities.

The public deserves honesty, transparency, and proof. Until he can provide evidence that the taxes were properly paid and the registration legally filed, one thing remains clear:

No one — not even Mr. Gunter — is above the law.

All information has been thoroughly investigated and reported by the Take Out the Trash Committee of Cape Coral and/or its authorized volunteers!