CRIST HAS CHANCE TO ANSWER LOOMING FDOT QUESTIONS IN TAMPA TODAY

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

For Immediate Release: Dec. 16th, 2009

CRIST HAS CHANCE TO ANSWER LOOMING FDOT QUESTIONS IN TAMPA TODAY

Gov. Charlie Crist will visit Tampa today, but it remains to be seen if he will answer looming questions about his hesitancy to call for an investigation of the Florida Department of Transportation during the visit.

"This is Charlie Crist's opportunity to explain his politics-as-usual approach to ethical scandals at the highest level of his administration to the people of Florida. Why didn't Gov. Crist initiate an Inspector General's investigation before another constitutional officer of the state called on him to do so?" Florida Democratic Party Spokesman Eric Jotkoff asked.  "Does Gov. Crist believe the State Attorney should look into this case for possible violations of the Sunshine Law as some have called on him to do?"

Crist is touring the state today as part of a public relations effort, while desperately trying to duck the controversy surrounding "Waffle-gate." Earlier this week news reports exposed the fact that state employees, including DOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos, may have used misleading e-mail subject lines about breakfast foods to skirt the Sunshine Laws. 

Following news of the problems at FDOT, Crist continued with politics as usual in Tallahassee and failed to call for an investigation.  In fact, Tuesday morning's headlines began, "Crist Defends DOT Secretary." [Palm Beach Post, 12/15/09] 

That very afternoon, following a call by Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink for an investigation, Crist finally issued the Inspector General's inquiry.   

Crist is yet to explain what he has thus far told his DOT Secretary about this matter or if he admonished her for it.  If Crist has not spoken with her about the issue, he will have to explain why he has not yet talked to a top member of his administration about the legal and ethical questions swirling around her actions.

Attorney General Bill McCollum has done even less according to reports.

"Attorney General Bill McCollum, did not take a stand on the e-mails" at the center of this week's right of access controversy.  Although, McCollum "vowed to protect Florida's constitutional right of access" at a speech to the 2007 Florida FOI Summit hosted by the University of Florida's Breecher Center for Freedom of Information.  [Palm Beach Post, 12/15/09; "Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum Addresses Summit Attendees," Beecher Center for Freedom of Information Web site,http://brechner.org/FOI_Summit/mccollum.htm]

"Just like a career politician, Bill McCollum promises action but only delivers politics as usual," Jotkoff added.

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