Few public comments after allegations against Reddick

Tampa city councilors are staying mostly quiet about allegations faced by chairman Frank Reddick.

On Thursday, a woman named Tasha McCray stood before the council and revealed she had filed a report against him several months ago, alleging he sexually assaulted her in the early 1980s, while he was working at Wilson Junior High.

"I need to get my life back. I have been holding onto this for 38 years," McCray said. "I have done everything in my power to make this person show ownership."

She was a student there. She said he forced her to perform oral sex at a home on Lemon Street.

He and his lawyer both denied the incident, with Reddick saying he did not know who she was until the allegations were made.

"I have not even seen the police report," Reddick said after the meeting on Thursday.

Councilors Harry Cohen, Mike Suarez and Luis Viera all told FOX 13 they did not have enough information to comment.  

The other three councilors, Charlie Miranda, Guido Maniscalco and Yolie Capin, were not immediately reachable.

No one FOX 13 spoke to, on council or not, wanted to weigh in on Reddick's political future. 

While term limits are forcing him out in May, sources say he is considering a future run for the county commission. 

The allegations are being discussed as part of Tampa's mayoral election. 

Reddick is backing David Straz's campaign. Straz released a statement that said:

"Due to no charges being filed, we see no reason at this time for Frank to step down from the campaign. It would be inappropriate to comment further not knowing any details. I believe in any woman's right to be heard and accusations to be fully investigated. We hope clarity for all happens soon."

When one of Straz's opponents was asked about Reddick's status on the campaign, former police chief Jane Castor didn't want to get involved.

"That is not my decision," she said.

Reddick's attorney, Daniel Fernandez, insists Reddick's reputation is unfairly taking a hit. 

He released part of a letter McCray wrote after first speaking to police, pointing out she said her memory was, "sketchy." The letter was not included in the police report, which had a different handwritten note from her.

At no other time in discussions with investigators did she say her memory was sketchy, including details of the home the alleged incident happened in, Reddick's appearance and the sequence of events that led to the supposed incident.

Fernandez also said it was important to point out that she did not come forward until seeing Reddick on TV decades later. However, police never found any inconsistencies in her story.

Barring new information, the criminal investigation is over. But Tampa councilors do have subpoena power, if approved by a judge. 

None would say if they are considering a new vote for chair.

FOX 13 did have an interview scheduled with Tasha McCray for Friday afternoon, but she cancelled, saying she had hired an attorney. She was not yet willing to say who that is.

Two of the members of council who said they had no comment, Mike Suarez and Harry Cohen, are also running for mayor.