Florida House Ethics Probe

Florida Legislature's probe of Ray Sansom will proceed slowly Sansom seeks delay in Fla. House ethics probe The lawyer for former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom denied on Friday all ethics accusations that a special investigator has made against his client. Richard Coates also requested that a special House committee tasked with looking into the matter delay taking action until Sansom's criminal charges are resolved, according to a letter sent to panel chairman Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. Sansom, R-Destin, is facing trial later this year on charges of official misconduct and perjury. He is accused of funneling millions to a state college that gave him a $110,000 job and lying to a grand jury. Sansom wants panel to delay probe till after criminal trial Sansom wants panel to delay probe till after criminal trial Ousted House Speaker Ray Sansom insists he did not misuse his position when he funneled tens of millions to a state college that later hired him, but he wants a legislative panel to delay its investigation until after his criminal trial. "Rep. Sansom denies all of the probable cause allegations'' outlined in a report by an investigator hired by the House, reads a letter delivered Friday to Rep. Bill Galvano, the Bradenton Republican who will oversee the tribunal. The Destin Republican is scheduled to go to trial as early as Sept. 29 on felony charges stemming from a $6 million airport project he secured for Northwest Florida State College. A grand jury -- and the House investigator -- concluded that Sansom's friend Jay Odom planned to use the hangar-like building to store aircraft as part of his private airport business. * The South Broward Bar Association will be held tomorrow at the Ark Restaurant. RSVP ASAP!! Judge Ilona Holmes is the current guest speaker for the luncheon. Members pay $20 and non-members pay $30. Judges eat for free! It still isn't too late to join this up and coming association, membership applications will be available at the luncheon and online. Also, you can RSVP online at the SBBA website. You can find our website on the links tab on our blog. Pay Pal is also up to date now. If there are any questions or concerns please feel free to call our office at 954-791-3939. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there! The information I am posting comes from the Web or Hassett and Associates P.A. If you would like to learn more about us go to www.criminaldefense.cc.