Lee sheriff under federal investigation for stumping in uniform

Na;les News ^ | October 8, 2008 | David Albers/ Staff

[Turret Gunner A20]

Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott speaks to a crowd of thousands who gathered at Germain Arena at a rally for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speak on Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, in Estero. His comments about U.S. Senator Barack Obama brought national attention to the rally. David Albers/ Staff

BONITA SPRINGS — Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott’s now infamous appearance at Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s public rally has caught the attention of federal officials. Scott is under federal investigation for wearing his uniform during the campaign stump, a spokesman for the Office of Special Counsel said on Tuesday.

The investigation follows Scott’s use of presidential candidate Barack Obama’s middle name in his comments before the crowd, a moment that Scott later said he didn’t regret but that has caused an uproar in parts of Lee County. David Albers/ Staff

Anthony Guglielmi, spokesman for the OSC, said, “We are launching a formal investigation into Sheriff Scott today on the basis of possible violation of Hatch Act.” The Hatch Act of 1939 regulates how certain government employees use their official authority in their private lives. Guglielmi said the Sheriff’s Office would fall under the law’s provision if it receives federal funding, a near certainty.

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[Turret Gunner A20]

He committed the unpardonable crime of calling the pig by his full name.

[edzo4]

so what now the democrats want the seperataion of state and state

[napscoordinator]

I guess policemen have the same rules as the military does...DO NOT CAMPAIGN FOR ANYBODY IN UNIFORM. I always laugh at military folks do that and then wonder why they end up discharged. They must the the dumbest people on Earth. Anyway, I don’t know the rules for police officers and until we know the rules for sure, we can’t give a judgement.

[edzo4]

so what now the democrats want the separation of state and state

[DoughtyOne]

Let me get this right. Here’s a guy who runs for office before the population of his county, but he’s supposed to refrain from political activity.

Does anyone even think before coming up with this nonsense?

Presidents endorse. Senators endorse. Congressmen endorse. Governors endorse. Mayors endorse. State officials endorse. City official endorse.

Good grief. Why not just come up with a law that forbids any public official from endorsing Republicans? That’s what it’s coming to. If that’s what they want, they should just do it outright. Let the public react.

[Frank_2001]

There’s a poll at the link; 26% of the respondents think the Sheriff should be locked up. This country is finished.....

[Behind Liberal Lines]

This is the first I’ve ever heard of this rule. I am well aware of the Hatch Act. However, at least in NY, Sheriff’s are elected by partisan election and, as such, there is no way that they could fall under the Hatch Act.

[kaspergutman]

Apparently nothing to it according to Glen Reynolds:

UPDATE: Dave Hardy writes that the Hatch Act is ''inapplicable to elected state officials so long as the elected post is their primary job. Since the Hatch Act also bars covered persons from RUNNING for office, it'd be pretty hard to apply it to elective posts! I wonder why the OSC even bothered opening an investigation, except to appease the people pestering it.'' That's probably it.

[piytar]

This is ridiculous utter garbage. The Hatch Act does not apply to county sheriffs, but to certain federal employees: http://uspolitics.about.com/od/usgovernment/a/hatch_act.htm

[Dan(9698)]

I don’t know the rules for police officers and until we know the rules for sure, we can’t give a judgement.

The Hatch act applies to Federal Employees.

The Sheriff is not a Federal Employee.

An Obomabot is abusing her authority by saying he will be prosecuted for a violation of the Hatch Act.

It is to intimidate. A complaint needs to be sent to the state Barr association.

[YellowRoseofTx]

...on the basis of possible violation of Hatch Act.” The Hatch Act of 1939 regulates how certain government employees use their official authority in their private lives

So, I'm sure this also applied to Senator Obama for making calls to Kenya to help his cousin incite riots, from his Senate office?

[napscoordinator]

Good. I am glad that don’t have that rule. I am all about rules..lol. Now that he was free to say what he wanted then I am assured that he will get off on First Amendment right.

[montag813]

WTF is the “Office of Special Counsel”? Is this Patrick Fitzgerald as some kind of permanent prosecutor?

[parthian shot]

But hey, ....the Missouri “Truth Squads” well...you know, something like that is okay. It's okay for the Sheriff to arrest and the DA’s to threaten prosecution.

But let me tell you this! Don't ever use a persons real middle name, you'll be in bad trouble!!!

[Shethink13]

He committed the unpardonable crime of calling the pig by his full name.

And that is the REAL problem. This Hatch Act bull is a phony cover. It's the Obama campaign MO of intimidating those with the gall to challenge him.

[Stevenc131]

First of all, the sheriff probably isn’t covered by the Hatch Act. The fact he might have some Federal grant money in his budget doesn’t mean he’s automatically covered.

Even if he is covered, the following is taken directly from the U.S.Office of Special Counsel website:

“Covered state and local employees may actively campaign for candidates for public office in partisan and nonpartisan elections...”

http://www.osc.gov/ha_state.htm#state_do

[mywholebodyisaweapon]

What about Barack’s violate of the Logan Act? I want the same federal agency to investigate him.

[Lady GOP]

It's okay for the Sheriff to arrest and the DA’s to threaten prosecution.

ITS CALLED FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT....ACCORDING TO HUSSEIN OBAMA YOU ONLY HAVE THEM IF YOURE LIBERAL

[steve-b]

It’s like the military — no political activity while in uniform, because that gives a false appearance of endorsement by the organization.

[Terry Mross]

This guy is elected by the people. What the hell is the federal government doing interfering in this? Oh, yeah, I forgot. We’re a socialist system now.

[Claire1]

Now maybe they should read the Logan act.

[rellimpank]

—it sure was never invoked when the Clintons lined up all those cops in uniform to stump for the “assault weapons” ban-—(and plenty of them were in violation of their own departmental rules about campaigning in uniform)—

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

So, why no “investigation” into Gov. Palin’s campaigning for McCain?

Alaska gets federal funding.

[parthian shot]

ITS CALLED FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT....ACCORDING TO HUSSEIN OBAMA YOU ONLY HAVE THEM IF YOURE LIBERAL
________________________________________

Yes,...the privilege of 1st Amendment Rights belong only to the very liberal elite. We peasants must learn to keep our place. And...just a word of warning to you Lady GOP, be careful how you use the middle name of the exalted one. You may be placed under arrest.

[DoughtyOne]

Okay then an endorsement by the President means the whole nation is behind the candidate. An endorsement by the Mayor means the whole city is behind the candidate. And endorsement by the Governor means the whole state is behind the candidate.

This is absurd on the face of it. I don’t disagree with your explanation. I knew that was the reason. I just think it is an absurd reason.

Frankly, I think it’s absurd to limit our men in the armed services also. I want participation by our men in uniform. I want to see them on the stage in uniform. And if they back Obama in uniform, I may not agree, but I’ll still realize they are speaking for themselves, and not the whole armed services.

We don’t need laws/policies like this to protect the American public from these “dastardly” (as if) people. Sheesh!

I appreciate the response.

[Larry Lucido]

How are the investigations going on those Obama prosecutors and sheriffs in Missouri?

[sonofdob]

All that stupid *** had to do was trade in his uniform for a business suit and all would have been fine. Instead, that stupid **** put his authority as sherriff at risk in the political arena.

[ravingnutter]

The Hatch Act doesn’t apply to this officer, get over it.

[ravingnutter]

If Obummer doesn’t like his middle name being spoken, then he should have it changed. What a pansy he is...

[Teflonic]

I like post #247:

Let's just use Sheriff Scott as the 'Redneck' example; Ignorant and Arrogant. I think I'll just move down to Collier and get new tags for my cars. Don't get too carried away with all this petty crap... Be sure to VOTE, as many times as possible.

[sergeantdave]

“Scott is under federal investigation for wearing his uniform during the campaign stump, a spokesman for the Office of Special Counsel said on Tuesday.”

So is this the new American office of the nobama Gestapo? These left wing freaks best be careful. Things didn’t end well for the other Gestapo.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the comments. Does that mean that all nurses need to get out of their uniforms before supporting someone in public? How about bus drivers? Should Priests have to take off their frock? Where do you draw the line with this nonsense?

I appreciate your point of view on it, but this seems to be silly to me. Take care.