The Justice Network
Corruption
Florida Now So Corrupt FBI Taking Out Newspaper Ads Seeking Tips
Florida Now So Corrupt FBI Taking Out Newspaper Ads Seeking Tips
Wonkette
June 6, 2011
America’s favorite swamp-gas-filled purgatory, the state of Florida, is now so corrupt that the FBI is taking out ads calling on citizens to report all of their
dishonest politicians. Florida is the number one state in corruption, with over 800 politicians arrested between 1997 and 2007. Oh hey, isn’t the year 2000 somewhere between those years? Probably!
The FBI is concerned that some of the state’s elected representatives think that federal stimulus dollars are free handouts for them and their families. But come on, those guys work hard, right? Just
look at the important legislation they’re
passing, trying to make sure those welfare queens aren’t running around using their free handouts to buy drugs. You are only allowed to buy rich people things with free government
handouts.
Legislators trying to introduce two separate ethics bills have so far seen them die in committee this year.
From the Orlando Sentinel:
Few legislators wanted to crack down on public officials betraying the public trust. And the excuses were downright laughable.
State Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, argued that if we criminalize more political misdeeds, it might crowd the prisons.
Siplin, who was himself tried on felony charges that he robbed taxpayers of thousands of dollars, has a pretty good point. [Orlando Sentinel] Read more here
FBI Jacksonville, Florida Division
6061 Gate Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone (904) 248-7000
Fax: (904) 248-7404
Jacksonville@ic.fbi.gov
Public Corruption
Alachua Deputy Sentenced. A former deputy sheriff with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office accepted more than $15,000 from another in exchange for using his influence as a deputy sheriff. Read more here
Florida 19th Statewide Grand Jury on Public Corruption
Gov. Charlie CristOn November 30, 2009, Governor Charlie Crist filed a petition requesting that a Statewide Grand Jury be convened in order to "examine and evaluate public policy issues regarding public corruption and develop specific recommendations regarding improving current laws." On December 2, 2009, the Florida Supreme Court issued an Order to convene the Nineteenth Statewide Grand Jury for the purpose of investigating crimes, returning indictments, and making presentments.
AG Bill McCollumAttorney General Bill McCollum issued a statement on
the statewide grand jury on public corruption:
"Floridians should be able to be proud of the public officials who serve their state and their communities, not ashamed of the latest scandal by someone in elected
office. We absolutely should expect better of those we have chosen to lead us.
"The grand jury will need to examine the blatant theft of public resources and, perhaps most importantly, the illicit sources of influence upon public officials and how
to lift the cloud of scandal that has been present for far too long.
"Led by my Office of Statewide Prosecution and working cooperatively with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as well as local law enforcement and Florida’s state
attorneys, the grand jury will work toward restoring the public’s trust in its government. I anticipate excellent work from these men and women who will undertake this responsibility, and I know
Florida will benefit greatly from their efforts."
The Statewide Grand Jury was convened by the Florida Supreme Court in early December to examine a list of specific crimes including bribery, extortion, unlawful
compensation for official behavior, corruption by threat against a public servant, official misconduct, falsifying records, and misuse of confidential information. The grand jury will be comprised of
jurors summoned from the 11th, 15th, 17th and 20th judicial circuits. The presiding judge will be the Honorable Victor Tobin, Chief Judge in and for the 17th Judicial Circuit.
Supreme Court Order for 19th Statewide Grand Jury
Florida Grand Jury Handbook
Attorney General Bill McCollum’s Press Releases
Attorney General announcement of 19th Statewide Grand Jury
Attorney General Grand Jury Press Release October 14, 2009
Attorney General Grand Jury Press Release December 2, 2009
Attorney General Grand Jury Press Release February 1, 2010
Statewide grand jury wants your corruption tips
Statewide grand jury wants your corruption
tips
Miami Herald
By Patricia Mazzei
February 2, 2010
Selection will begin next week for a statewide grand jury created to look into public corruption and recommend changes to Florida law — and state prosecutors are asking
the public for tips on what to investigate. Gov. Charlie Crist called for the grand jury after a spate of high-profile arrests of public officials and major campaign contributors in South Florida. On
Monday, Attorney General Bill McCollum urged the public to report instances of wrongdoing by public officials, from bribery to nepotism to fraud, to his office and its investigative arm, the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement. "We'd really like to know if you're a whistle-blower or willing to be a whistle-blower," McCollum said. Read more here
Nineteenth Statewide Grand Jury, Interim Report
State of Florida
Case No. SC 09-1910
Statewide Grand Jury, First Interim Report, filed December 29, 2010
A Study of Public Corruption in Florida and Recommended Solutions
First Interim Report, filed December 29, 2010
19thSWGJInterimReport.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [1.3 MB]
Florida Supreme Court, 19th Statewide Grand Jury
February 18, 2011
Filed_02-18-2011_Final_Report.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [369.5 KB]
Florida Most Corrupt State in America
Florida Most Corrupt State in America
Page 119, First Interim Report, Florida Nineteenth
Statewide Grand Jury. Florida led the nation in the number of federally convicted public officials from 1998 through 2007. According to this testimony, Florida
leads the next closest state, New York, by over an 8% margin.
19thSWGJInterimReport, Page 119 corrupti[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [33.0 KB]
Page 124, First Interim Report, Florida Nineteenth Statewide Grand Jury. Florida ranked first with 824 convicted public officials and New York ranked second with 704. We point out that according to this testimony, Nebraska ranked last in this survey.
19thSWGJInterimReport, Page 124 Florida [...]
Adobe Acrobat document [27.1 KB]
Attorney General Pam Bondi Press Release
AG Pam BondiAttorney General Pam Bondi Press Release
February 21, 2011
The Office of Statewide Prosecution released the final report of the 19th Statewide Grand Jury on Public Corruption. The report outlines their examination of the Broward County School Board and their resulting
recommendations.
The Grand Jury was charged with investigating public corruption in Florida. The Grand Jury’s term expires in February 2011. It was presided over by Broward County Chief
Judge Victor Tobin and supported by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Read
more here
19thSWGJBrowardFinalreport.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [1.8 MB]
19thSWGJBrowardFinalreportattchmt.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [2.9 MB]
Florida Public Corruption on Facebook
Florida Corruption on Facebook
FBI Seeks Public Aid in Outing Government Corruption in Florida
In what respect does Florida rank #1 in the nation?
Corrupt public officials. The NYTimes reported that Florida's convicted public officials numbred 824 over the last 10 years... more than any other state. New York is #2
with 704 convictions, and Texas third with 565 convictions. No wonder the FBI is asking the question "Who's representing you? Dishonest government officials aren't just wasting your tax dollars...
they are betraying your trust. REPORT PUBLIC CORRUPTION TO THE FBI." And the FBI is giving you a way to report public corruption.
- The Tallahassee Democrat reports that Tallahassee, the seat of political power in Florida, has become a focal point in the FBI's crackdown on public fraud and corruption. The FBI is seeking the public's help in identifying government officials who use their offices for personal gain... especially in the area of potential fraud involving federal stimulus money.
If it looks like it, it might very well be! Report public corruption or suspected potential corruption.
- You can report suspected public corruption activities by calling the FBI Jacksonville Public Corruption hotline at 1-888-722-1225.
- You can also Email Jacksonville@ic.fbi.gov with "Public Corruption Tip" in the subject line.
- More information is at the FBI website http://www.fbi.gov/jacksonville
Ethics reform ignored by Florida lawmakers
Ethics reform ignored by Florida lawmakers
Herald-Tribune
by Zac Anderson
May 29, 2011
For all the major reforms Florida lawmakers took on this year, they failed to enact stronger ethics standards for public officials despite a rash of corruption cases
from South Florida to Sarasota.
The inaction is even more glaring in the wake of an unusual statewide grand jury last December that issued 127 pages of recommended changes in state law after declaring
that "corruption is pervasive at all levels of government" in Florida.
Florida entered this spring's legislative session reeling from years of major scandal at the state and local level. More than 800 public officials were convicted in
Florida on various charges between 1997 and 2007, making Florida the top state for government corruption, according to the grand jury. Read more here
Corrupt Florida Politicians
Corrupt Florida Politicians
Blog by Bett
January 22, 2010
Former Deerfield Beach Commissioner Steve Gonot was convicted of stealing campaign funds, falsifying his campaign treasurer's report and official misconduct. The
three-woman, three-man jury took just under an hour before returning the guilty verdicts, following a one-week trial. Read more here
BOMBSHELL - Grand Jury Report, Florida us The Most Corrupt State in The Nation
BOMBSHELL - Grand Jury Report, Florida us The Most
Corrupt State in The Nation
Matt Weidner blog
August 18, 2011
I think many people are finally starting to realize just how corrupt this state really is. But I wonder if people really understand just how dangerous it is to live in a
state which nurtures our own sort of aggressive public corruption?
A great comment from a reader:
FLORIDA IS NUMBER ONE, AT SOMETHING, AT LAST! After being last in education, consumer rights, and job creation, we hit a home run. Read more here
FBI Looks For Whistleblowers In Tallahassee
FBI Looks For Whistleblowers In Tallahassee
An Opinion By Jan Bergemann
President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.
June 14, 2011
What would you think if you sit down to read your morning paper -- and the first thing you see is an ADVERTISING from the FBI -- printed in big letters: "Dishonest
government officials aren't just wasting your tax dollars. They're betraying your trust. Report public corruption to the FBI."
That just happened to the readers of the TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT -- the local newspaper of the hotspot of Florida corruption -- TALLAHASSEE.
Together with the ad on the front page came an article inside the paper, headlined: "FBI seeking tips from the public in crackdown on government
corruption."
Personally, I feel it's about time somebody cleans out this cesspool -- known as Florida's capital. In my opinion Tallahassee is not only the actual capital of the State
of Florida, it's as well the capital of political corruption -- a pay-to-play system that has more or less destroyed Florida's economy. What we are seeing now are the shambles of our once great
State, formerly known as The Sunshine State. And instead of seeing the failure of their ways, our legislators continue to sell Florida to the highest bidder. What we see in Tallahassee shouldn't be
called POLITICS -- it should be called "DRIVEN BY GREED!" Read more here
Florida So Corrupt, even the Alligators are Complaining
Regulatory Capture or Official Corruption?
Regulatory capture
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In economics, regulatory capture occurs when a state regulatory agency created to act in the public interest instead advances the commercial or special interests that
dominate the industry or sector it is charged with regulating. Regulatory capture is a form of government failure, as it can act as an encouragement for large firms to produce negative externalities.
The agencies are called "captured agencies". Read more here
Who Is James Johnson? (the Fannie Mae scandal)
David BrooksWho Is James Johnson?
The New York Times
by David Brooks
June 16, 2011
Most political scandals involve people who are not really enmeshed in the Washington establishment — people like Representative Anthony Weiner or Representative William
Jefferson. Most scandals involve spectacularly bad behavior — like posting pictures of your private parts on the Web or hiding $90,000 in cash in your freezer.
But the most devastating scandal in recent history involved dozens of the most respected members of the Washington establishment. Their behavior was not out of the
ordinary by any means.
For that reason, the Fannie Mae scandal is the most important political scandal since Watergate. It helped sink the American economy. It has cost taxpayers about $153
billion, so far. It indicts patterns of behavior that are considered normal and respectable in Washington. Read more here
Reader Comment to David Brooks, SCOTUS Corrupt
US Supreme Court, 2000Reader comment to the above column by David Brooks.
Comment 3, Knick, Colma, CA, June 17th, 2011, 2:02 am
Mr. Brooks claims: "... the most devastating scandal in recent history involved dozens of the most respected members of the Washington
establishment."
Wrong.
The most devastating scandal in recent history involved FIVE of the most respected members of the Washington establishment when FIVE Supreme Court Justices elected
George W. Bush to the Presidency in November 2000.
As Alan Dershowitz observed "The decision in the Florida election case may be ranked as the single most corrupt decision in Supreme Court history, because it is the only
one ... where the majority justices decided as they did because of the personal identity and political affiliation of the litigants. This was cheating, and a violation of the judicial
oath."
Bush v. Gore, 531 U.S. 98 (2000)
George W. BushBush v. Gore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bush v. Gore, 531 U.S. 98 (2000), is the landmark United States Supreme Court decision on
December 12, 2000, that effectively resolved the 2000 presidential election in favor of George W. Bush. Only eight days earlier, the United States Supreme Court had unanimously decided the closely
related case of Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board, 531 U.S. 70 (2000), and only three days earlier, had preliminarily halted the recount that was occurring in Florida.
In a per curiam decision, the Court ruled that the Florida Supreme Court's method for recounting ballots was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment. The Court also ruled that no alternative method could be established within the time limits set by the State of Florida. Three concurring justices also asserted that the Florida Supreme
Court had violated Article II, § 1, cl. 2 of the Constitution, by misinterpreting Florida election law that had been enacted by the Florida Legislature.
The decision allowed Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris's previous certification of George W. Bush as the winner of Florida's 25 electoral votes to stand.
Florida's votes gave Bush, the Republican candidate, 271 electoral votes, one more than the required 270 electoral votes to win the Electoral College and defeat Democratic candidate Al Gore, who
ended up with 266 electoral votes. (One elector from the District of Columbia abstained). Read more here
Gainesville polka queen gets role in HBO film
The Gainesville Sun
By CHRISTOPHER MYERS
Special to The Sun
October 19, 2007
In November 2000, thousands of people from both ends of the political spectrum swarmed to Tallahassee to protest the results of the presidential election. Most of them
didn't show up in a red dress with blue and white lace, a red, white and blue wig and tiara, and playing an accordion while singing polka music, however. The one who did was Gainesville's Angela
Woodhull, also known as Angelina Polka Queena. Now, she's set to appear as herself in the upcoming HBO movie "Recount," about the 2000 election and the controversy that followed in Florida.
Read more here
George Orwell
In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act. -George Orwell
Read more about George Orwell on Wikipedia and the Justice Network
Truth About Halliburton and Dick Cheney
We Elected A Defense Contractor Vice President
Dylan Ratigan Mad As Hell!
Network - "I'm as mad as hell" [English subtitles]
Network (film) on Wikipedia
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