FBI Investigates GOP Spending
April 21st, 2010 by flanewsWhile a Leon County judge mulls over a motion to drop charges against former House Speaker Ray Sansom for misusing state money, the FBI and IRS are reportedly looking deeper into Sansom’s use of Republican Party donations. As Whitney Ray tells us, Sansom isn’t the only one being fingered.
For the second time since his indictment former House Speaker Ray Sansom, is back in court asking for his criminal charges to be dropped.
The state says he stole six million state dollars to build an airplane hanger for a political contributor, even though the plan was interrupted.
“The crime was committed whether or not the appropriations act or not,” said Meggs.
The judge has yet to rule on Sansom’s motion to dismiss, but even if the judge drops the charges Sansom’s troubles may not be over. Reports of a federal investigation into Sansom’s spending of Republican Party money could land him in the US Courthouse.
Sansom is one of several dozen Republican lawmakers who made hundreds of thousands of dollars in charges on credit cards issued by the party. US Senate hopeful Marco Rubio’s spending may also be under investigation, as well as former GOP chairman Jim Greer, Governor Charlie Crist’s handpicked party chair.
“I don’t know anyone who is happy about that. I think that when ever people make a contribution they expect it to be used to win elections not to live a lavish lifestyle,” said Crist.
The Florida Democrats say the feds have their work cut out for them.
“We are heartened today that the FBI, IRS are stepping in to clean up this Republican culture of corruption,” said Eric Jotkoff, a spokesman with the Florida Democrats.
Neither the FBI nor the IRS will confirm or deny the investigations, but online accounts pin down at least one former Republican Party member claiming questions have been asked.
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