Tampa City Council member Orlando Gudes said he has lived in his childhood home in East Tampa for more than four years, but until last month, he claimed an improper tax break for another residence.⁠ ⁠ Gudes requested that the homestead exemption on the North Tampa home on May 18 be removed and has paid $13,222.42 to the Hillsborough County Appraiser’s Office, said Marilyn Martinez, director of administrative services for the office.⁠ ⁠ The payment is for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 tax years and includes penalties and interest.⁠ ⁠ Gudes said he learned of the improper homestead exemption during the course of a lawsuit filed by a former aide and her daughter accusing him of creating a hostile workplace and making inappropriate remarks to both. ⁠ ⁠ Gudes has denied most of the allegations, saying he is being targeted by Mayor Jane Castor’s administration for his occasional opposition to her policies. Castor’s office has denied the claim.⁠ ⁠ Read the full report at the link in our bio. ⁠ ⁠ ✍️...