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Former Clay Sheriff Told Investigators He Sent Mistress $60K Over Course Of Relationship

Former Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels
News4Jax
Former Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels

A mound of evidence that will be used in the case against former Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels was released Tuesday.

The 33 files of evidence obtained by WJCT News partner News4Jax include a nearly two-hour interview with the embattled former sheriff where he answers questions from investigators about the nature of his longtime affair with Cierra Smith, a former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office corrections officer.

The interview led to Daniels facing multiple charges stemming from the sex scandal investigation, including one count of evidence tampering, a third-degree felony offense, and three counts of knowingly giving false information to law enforcement, a first-degree misdemeanor. After Daniels turned himself in last year on the charges, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order to suspend him. Daniels ran for re-election amid the investigation and was defeated. He now awaits trial.

In the taped interview, Daniels admitted that during the years of the affair, he sent Smith more than $60,000 using a cash app. Daniels said he was able to hide it from his wife because he was in charge of the family finances.

Read the full story at News4Jax.com.

Originally from Washington state, Johnson moved to Jacksonville in late 2002 to work for WJXT.