February 12, 2010
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News: Democrats Demand An Investigation
Recent reports about the excessive credit card spending by Florida's Republican party leaders has some Democrats in a fury and demanding the GOP look into possible criminal activities. Florida's State Senators Dave Aronberg (D- Greenacres), and Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) say that the allegations of abusive credit card spending by the officials demands a “criminal investigation” into the spending habits of GOP party members. Both Aronberg and Gelber are in the running for State's Attorney General and are particularly interested in knowing how the party's members were able to dodge a 2005 ban on issuing credit cards to lawmakers. The two State's Attorney General candidates sent a letter to Bill McCollum, Florida's Attorney General demanding an investigation.
McCollum who himself is running for public office as Florida's governor, has already been fighting the credit card battle. He played an instrumental part of ousting former Chairman, Jim Greer and Executive Director, Delmar Johnson due to allegations of excessive and abusive spending. Greer who was the former state's Republican Party head has been scrutinized for his extravagant spending including fine dining, massages, flowers, and chartered planes. It is McCollum's opinion that the investigation should be delayed until a new party chairman is elected on February 20th. Chairman candidates, State Senator John Thrasher (R-St. Augustine and Broward) and Sharon Day, National Committeeman have both pledged to launch an investigation into the alleged credit card abuse.
McCollum said that if an investigation finds the credit card abuse to be valid, he would assist the State Executive Committee and the appropriate law enforcement agency in pursuing criminal charges. However, Gelber maintains that it is the responsibility of the Attorney General to address the issue now and not push them off on the next candidate. Senator Paula Dockery (R-Lakeland) is McCollum's opponent in the gubernatorial race has also spoken out in search of answers from McCollum. Dockery says that nearly half of the GOP Florida Senators have been given cards to cover business travel expenses. Gelber believes the issue involves both Democrats and Republicans alike since both parties are supported by many of the same donors.