Ray Sansom: Man of Values Part II

I wrote a post called "Ray Sansom: Man of Values." I noted that Sansom's professed religious values didn't match his actions. The charges against Sansom have been dropped. Sansom immediately lays it on thick with his Christian spiel.

"God has sustained us," Sansom said after the case was dismissed. "We held strong with his grace."

Perhaps Sansom can explain how inserting a secret earmark to get a $110,000-a-year job was following the gospel. In return for the job, Samson gave Northwest Florida State College $750,000 in start up funds. Jay Odom, a longtime campaign contributor to Sansom, got a remodeled hanger.
Sansom did another secret earmark to Xe Services, formerly known as Blackwater. The legislation would allow Xe to run privatized prisons in Florida. Fortunately, the legislation died.

The job Sansom received was was no-bid. Former Northwest Florida State College president Bob Richburg kept the meeting closed to the public. Richburg did not hold the meeting at NWFSC, instead at Florida State University. Florida Sunshine laws requires that the meeting for job opening, involving anelected official, have the minutes recorded. Richburg waited ten mouths to post the minutes.

Sansom spent $173,000 of the nonprofit Republican Party of Florida money, on lavish meals and tuxedo rentals. Sansom's crwedit card spending spree hardly follows the Christ parable of the Good Sararitan. Especial when Sansom his not spending someone else's money.

In my two years of covering Sansom, I haven't seen him do one thing that wasn't too his personnal benefit. Sansom's faith is no different than Jimmy Swagart or Jim Bakker professing a love of Jesus after publicly being caught in a scandal. If Sansom wants to make me believe he is a Christian then he can start by professing his ethical lapses. I doubt Sansom's values are strong enough for that kind of candor.

Republicans Still Heart Ray Sansom

Florida House Republicans just don't get it. Sansom got into a major trouble for budgeting money to Northwest Florida College. The money was suppose to build a Community Services Complex for the school. The money actually went to building a hanger for Jay Odom's private planes. Odom has been a longtime campaign contributor to Sansom.

Northwest Florida College received money for questionable projects. NFC President Bob Richburg gave Sansom a no-bid job with the school. The job opening was advertised only a day in advance. The meeting was closed to the public. Sansom set up the office for the job interview at Florida State University. Richburg waited ten months to file the minutes of the meeting.

Sansom got a well-paying job. Odom got a hanger. Richburg got money for the school. Sansom, Richburg and Jay Odom ended up being indicted. When Sansom stepped down as House Speaker, his Republican colleagues gave him a standing ovation. House Republicans are still singing the praises of Sansom.

But apparently some lawmakers see it differently. Reps. Juan Zapata, Mary Bradenburg and Baxter Troutman all thanked Sansom for his leadership and friendship. It's striking given that most House members were reluctant to defend Sansom as the criminal investigation unfolded.

On Tuesday, Troutman, a Winter Haven Republican, called the Sansom scandal an "unnecessary witch hunt."

These people are unbelievable.

Ray Sansom Troubles Continues

Ray Sansom preaches he is a man of values. Perhaps Sansom can explain what in his values made him feel it was appropriate to charge $597 for a private dinner with Bob Richburg to a RPoF American Express card. This dinner was part of a meeting between Sansom and Richburg that violated Sunshine laws. The dinner took place at the University Center Club. The establishment bills itself as "Tallahassee's premier private club experience." At $30.00 a steak and and 29.00 for grouper it maybe Tallahassee's most expensive private club experience.

Sansom faces up to five years in prison official misconduct charges. Richburg has been indicted on perjury. The charges stem from a aircraft hanger project Sansom, Richburg and Jay Odom personally benefitted from.

Below is what Sansom and Richburg ordered. All together they ordered 222 items. Click the image to enlarge.



In related news: State Attorney Wilie Meggs is seeking a search warrant for Ray Samson's laptop. If granted the warrant, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will examine the computer.

Meggs is not happy with how slowly the process has been going. He wanted Sansom's computer torn apart yesterday.

“Since the legislature is building airport hangers instead of funding FDLE, they’re a little behind,” Meggs said.

Smack!

Ray Sansom Indicted

Gov. Charlie Crist blew off criticism of former House Speaker Ray Sansom's ethical lapses. Sansom was forced to stepped down as House Speaker because of several related scandals. House Republicans showed their support by giving Sansom a standing ovation. Conserrvative pundit Joe Scarborough called the GOP response a "moral crisis." A grand jury today indicted Sansom and Northwest Florida State College president Bob Richburg. Both have been charged with the third degree crime of official misconduct. They must surrender to authorities. That means there will soon be a booking picture of Sansom on the internet.

"We believe that Speaker-designate Ray Sansom because of his friendship and political contributions violated the trust that the citizens of Florida should expect from its elected representatives," the grand jury report said.

Sansom secured $6 million of taxpayer dollars for Jay Odom's hanger. Odom has a long history of financially contributing to Sansom's campaigns. Sansom, Odom, and Richburg publicly denied discussing the hanger project. The St. Petersburg Times reported the three discussed the hanger in several emails. Sansom got a $110,000-a-year job at Northwest Florida State College, the same day he became House Speaker. Richburg got the school funding at a time of budget cuts. Odom got a pimped out hanger deck to park his private planes.

On news of the indictment: Crist said, "That's distressing to hear." Really Governor? Where was your dismay when the Sansom allegations first surfaced?

When asked whether he'd be willing to investigate, Gov. Charlie Crist said, "Who asked me to do that?"

"Karen Thurman," replied Tampa Tribune reporter Catherine Dolinski.

"Yeah, next question," Crist said.

Why did Attorney General tell Panhandle resident he had no jurisdiction to investigate Sansom? When the St. Petersburg Times published McCollum's email the Attorney General suddenly realized he did have jurisdiction. It must have been a light bulb over the head moments.

It is hypocritical for Crist to now be distressed about Sansom. Republicans that gave a standing ovation to Sansom have no credibility to denounce Sansom's actions. I spent time on this blog bashing Gary Siplin and Rod Blagojevich. I don't need trolls and conservative bloggers giving me a fucking lecture about being fair and balanced. Ideology is one thing. Corruption is illegal. There is no grey area. What part of breaking the law do people not understand?

After the Bill Clinton impreachment, Democrats learned to stay away from radioactive pols. Republicans start a fucking defense fund (spare me Marty Peretz being a Dem) for Lewis "Scooter" Libby. The insanity of defending Libby's indefensible outing of Valerie Plame is symptomatic of what is wrong with the GOP.

The Ray Sansom Scandals

Ray Sansom faces two ethics complaints from David Plyer and Susan Smith. The State Commission on Ethics ruled Plyers' complaint was "legally sufficient." Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs will have a grand jury hear the ethics complaints.

Democrats quickly abandoned William Jefferson and Rod Blagojevich. The GOP operates differently. Sansom's position as Florida House Speaker caused Republicans to circle the wagons. Gov. Charlie Crist blew off a question to investigate Sansom. Attorney General Bill McCollum told a Panhandle resident he did not have the jurisdiction to investigate. After the St. Petersburg Times reported McCollum's email, the Attorney General suddenly put his investigative powers into action.



Columnist Howard Troxler breaks down the Sanson scandals.

To keep track, let's divide the "things to investigate" list about House Speaker Ray Sansom into three categories:

The Job.

The Meeting.

The Building.

I would add the possible violation of Florida's Sunshine laws.

Q. Does the Sunshine Law apply to the Legislature?
A. Florida's Constitution provides that meetings of the Legislature be open and noticed except those specifically exempted by the Legislature or specifically closed by the Constitution. Each house is responsible through its rules of procedures for interpreting, implementing and enforcing these provisions. Information on the rules governing openness in the Legislature can be obtained from the respective houses.

Q. Does the Sunshine Law applies to members-elect?
A. Members-elect of public boards or commissions are covered by the Sunshine law immediately upon their election to public off ice.

Q. What qualifies as a meeting?
A. The Sunshine law applies to all discussions or deliberations as well as the formal action taken by a board or commission. The law, in essence, is applicable to any gathering, whether formal or casual, of two or more members of the same board or commission to discuss some matter on which foreseeable action will be taken by the public board or commission. There is no requirement that a quorum be present for a meeting to be covered under the law.

Northwest Florida State College president Bob Richburg kept the meeting to hire Sansom closed to the public. The law requires minutes of the meeting be submitted for public record. Richburg waited 10 months to file the minutes. Richburg still hasn't explained why the meeting was held at Florida State University.

On the political side: how long can the Republican Party of Florida have their legislative spokesman mired in scandal. Sansom is toast. Keeping Sansom around hurts the state and gives Democrats an easy target. Is that what Florida Republicans want?

Update: Sansom has hired defense attorney Peter Antonacci.

Ray Sansom's Hanger Project

The St. Petersburg Times and Miami Herald report on Florida House speaker Ray Sansom's budgeted tax to land owned by Jay Odom. In 2007, Odom attempted to build hurricane proof metal hangers at Destin Aiport. Destin's city manager Kelvin Espada never visited the facility to talk with Odom about his plan to build a hurricane shelter and training facility. Interestingly, Sansom Northwest Florida College bio mentions his negotiating for emergency training facilities. The Destin city council voted to allow Odom to request the funds.

According to NWF State College president Bob Richburg, Sansom's new position as vice president will have expanded responsibilities that will include oversight of the college foundation and also the development of agreements with local governments for training related to the college's new Community Services Complex and other endeavors.

The city of Destin wasn't interested in Odom's project. Insurance companies didn't want to sell coverage to the hanger deck. Odom managed to get $6 million in state funding. Sansom was the Senate budget chairman in 2007. Sansom denies there was quid pro quo.

"It doesn't benefit him at all," Sansom said in an interview at the Capitol. "He wasn't involved with me. I worked with the college."

However, the St. Petersburg Times reports Sansom, Odom and Northwest State College president Bob Richburg discussed the project in emails. What makes the deal more suspicious is Sansom never put in a Community Budget Issue Request. That means the budget request can't be found online. Odom told The Times the hanger would not be used for his planes. Airport operation manager Bill Blackford said the hanger would be used for Odom's planes. Odom is Blackburn's employer. That makes Blackburn a very reliable source. The hanger is now an official project of the college.

Richburg defended the money, calling the project a ``wonderful opportunity.''

Odom leases a half acre to the school for $1 dollar and receives a remodeled hanger deck. Richburg's college got $750,000 in start up funds and a cheap land lease. Sansom received $110,000-a-year job from Richburg and campaign contribions from Odom. It was a wonderful opportunity. Unless, you are a taxpayer.

Karen Thurman Demands Ray Sansom Step Down

Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman demanded incoming House Speaker Ray Sansom step down.

"The appearance of impropriety is too great for Ray Sansom to remain as speaker and keep his job with Northwest Florida State College," Thurman said in a statement. "Therefore, it is only appropriate for him to resign from one."

Sansom pushed legislation that gave Northwest Florida State College $250,000 of "start up funds." Sansom met with NFSC President Richburg and agreed on another $750,000 of satate funding. The Palm Beach Post reports $7.5 million funding for construction was approved during Sansom's tenure as budget chairman. Samson was hired to a $110,000 job the same day he became House Speaker.

Side note: Sansom's job as NFSC vice president for development and planning pays $25,000 more than the last person to hold the position.

Ray Sansom

Ray Sansom was hired to a $110,000-a-year job at Northwest Florida State College, the same day he became Florida House speaker. Before becoming speaker, Sansom steered $200,000 to the school's leadership institute. The job of vice president of development and planning was never advertised. Sansom was the only candidate offered the job.

New documents reveal an additional $750,000 of start up funds Sansom budgeted for the community college. Florida State College President Bob Richburg sat in a meeting with Sansom to make the budget requests. You will not be shocked to learn that Richburg hired Sansom.

Richburg made his best attempt at spin.

Richburg called Sansom a "very effective legislator" who brought the college millions in funding but denied the job was payback. “His appointment to this college had nothing to do with securing these projects. These projects were in the pipeline."

Yes, these projects were in the pipeline. That is the problem.