Mayor Under Fire: Derrick Henry’s Financial Troubles Raise Alarming Questions About Leadership in Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach — Court records reveal that Mayor Derrick Henry is being sued by SunTrust Mortgage for failing to make monthly loan payments for more than a year on a home he purchased in 2004. The lawsuit seeks more than $69,000 after lapses on $455 monthly payments since January 2012.

This is not just a private financial dispute. It strikes at the heart of public trust. The city’s top elected official, responsible for overseeing millions in taxpayer dollars, is accused of neglecting his own basic financial obligations.

Community advocate Kerry B. Lewis went on the offensive, calling the revelations a “pattern of neglect and misplaced priorities.” Lewis argued that Henry’s financial mismanagement undermines his credibility as mayor. “If the city’s top elected official cannot manage his own financial obligations, how can we trust him to manage the finances, priorities, and future of Daytona Beach?” Lewis said.

The exposé highlights a troubling contradiction: while residents are expected to meet their obligations, the mayor himself allegedly failed to honor his. Critics say this raises deeper concerns about integrity, accountability, and whether Henry views public office as a duty to serve or a platform for self-interest.

Lewis outlined what he believes the city deserves from its leadership:

• Honoring commitments both personal and public

• Managing responsibilities with transparency and accountability

• Putting residents before personal gain

• Working every day to strengthen the community

“This isn’t just about one mortgage,” Lewis added. “It’s about whether Daytona Beach can trust its leadership at all. Public office is not a personal business venture. It is a commitment to serve the people, to honor trust, and to put the community first.”

The lawsuit underscores a broader narrative of instability. For years, Daytona Beach residents have voiced frustration over city leadership that appears disconnected from the struggles of everyday people. Now, with the mayor’s own financial troubles laid bare, the controversy threatens to erode confidence in City Hall even further.

Political observers warn that the case could become a defining issue in upcoming elections, fueling calls for reform and new leadership. For many residents, the question is no longer about one man’s mortgage — it’s about whether Daytona Beach can afford to keep a mayor whose record suggests self-interest over service.