Probe of Dyer's election expands - Orlando mayor to jail?

The Orlando Sentinel ^ | 9-29-04 | Mark Schlueb

[PRSOrlando]

The probe into Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's re-election campaign has widened to include a state senator and a circuit judge, and it has been kicked upstairs to investigators specializing in public-corruption cases.

In addition, State Attorney Lawson Lamar's office confirmed Tuesday that it is backing out of the probe. A spokesman said a new "person of interest" has emerged in the investigation that could create the appearance of a conflict of interest were Lamar to investigate.

Administrators in Lamar's office would not identify that person. But a letter sent to Gov. Jeb Bush by Chief Assistant State Attorney Bill Vose last week indicates the inquiry is "against a variety of individuals, including a sitting circuit judge, formerly endorsed by the state attorney; a mayor; and a state senator."

[PRSOrlando]

Looks like the crap has hit the fan.

[Brilliant]

Dyer is an embarrassment to the city.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Bump!

[AppyPappy]

What happened? Did the B**** set him up?

[Steve_Seattle]

Is this related to the voter fraud investigation a few weeks ago which Dems tried to spin as an attempt to suppress the black vote?

[Steve_Seattle]

Is this related to the voter fraud investigation a few weeks ago which Dems tried to spin as an attempt to suppress the black vote?

[Truth29]

D or R?

[Brilliant]

Nope. This has been going on for some time. Dyer won the mayor's race by less than 1/2%, and now it appears that there was some funny business.

Dyer had a reputation as an effective Democratic State Senator before he ran for Mayor. Now he's looking more like a crook.

His policies have been screwy as well. One of the first things he did was fire 1/3 of the people at city hall. I remember thinking, "maybe I misjudged this guy. Maybe he is an effective administrator afterall." We had a $12 million budget shortfall at the time, so it seemed something had to be done. Then a few days later he announced that he was increasing the salary of the surviving employees by 1/3. So much for that thought.

[dhouston]

His web site didn't say

[w1andsodidwe]

I'm guessing "D" since otherwise it would have been trumpeted by the MSM.

[PRSOrlando]

Yes. NOT ONE voter has filed a complaint that I know of and the media has run this story and totally ignored with democrat party mayor Dyer and Eizzie Thomas did to steal the election in March.

[PRSOrlando]

Dyer is a democrat.

[Brilliant]

D

[Frank_2001]

RATS run from their party affiliation when the you-know-what hits the fan;)

[Rockingham]

Yes. In essence, the investigation began with a long time Black absentee vote gatherer named Ezzie Thomas. He has spoken under a grant of immunity and the investigation now seems to be directed at several public officials. Staff has been assigned from Florida's lead state investigators in public corruption, the Executive Investigations section of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

For those unacquainted with Florida Public Records Law, keep in mind that even if charges are not brought, when the investigation concludes, the files become mostly open to public inspection. That can sink a public official politically even if they avoid criminal charges.