August 20, 2009
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News: Sansom Spends Big While Floridians Suffer
Florida's ex-House Speaker, Ray Sansom, who touted that fiscal responsibility must be exercised to cut unnecessary spending and avoid taxes, apparently wasn't speaking about himself. A recent subpoena of the Republican Party issued credit card shows Sansom was living anything but fiscal responsibility at the expense of Republican campaign contributors. In the first time ever subpoena of the party's credit card records, it was learned that Sansom spent over $173,000 treating himself and his family to the good life including a trip to Europe. The credit card records show that while Floridians have been losing their jobs and homes and suffering from the rising cost of living, Sansom and his family have been enjoying the good life.
Sansom resigned as Speaker of Florida's House in February while under investigation for possible illegal acceptance of a position at the Northwest Florida State College. In April, a grand jury indicted Sansom with official misconduct in regard to a taxpayer funded airplane hangar scandal and later in May for perjury in the earlier investigation. The investigation lead to the subpoena of the Republican Party credit card records. The records indicate that Sansom may not have been the only Republican to abuse the party's credit cards. During a two and half year period, top members of the party spent over $3.6 million. It is not known at this time if any of the expenses that might be personal have been refunded to the party. The issue is very concerning for campaign donors who want to know how their money is being spent.
While the Florida Democratic Party does not issue credit cards to any of its members, several Republican officials have a GOP American Express Card including Senate President Jeff Atwater, Senator Mike Haridopolos, and party Chairman Jim Greer. The current House Speaker Larry Cretul does not have a party card. While some of the card transactions appear to be official business charges, many are suspected of being unauthorized. Some of the other items charged by Sansom were dining expenses, over $800 in Starbucks, over $11,000 at Best Buy, nearly $9,000 at a Fort Walton Beach florist, and several high end boutiques.