![](http://radio.weblogs.com/0113064/images/2003/09/29/zippy.jpg")
Posted on 04/15/2005 5:55:42 AM PDT by JesseHousman
TALLAHASSEE - State Sen. Mandy Dawson, who personally asked lobbyists to help pay for her trip to South Africa, was reprimanded today and stripped of one of her committee assignments by the Florida Senate.
The Senate agreed that Dawson, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, broke state law when she sent out letters on official Senate stationery requesting lobbyists to send money to the state's Legislative Black Caucus. The caucus wound up paying $5,000 for both Dawson and for a male traveling companion to take a 10-day trip to South Africa in late January and early February.
Dawson broke two state laws and one of the Senate rules, the Senate said in its findings. The Senate concluded Dawson solicited a gift from a lobbyist and she accepted a gift in excess of $100, both of which are against state law. Dawson also broke a Senate rule which requires a senator to maintain the integrity of the office.
Senate President Tom Lee ordered an internal investigation into the trip after The Herald first reported that Dawson had sent out a letter to lobbyists asking for them to pay for her trip.
An internal investigation ordered by Lee showed that two lobbyists and a major fundraiser gave $5,000 to the state's Legislative Black Caucus to pay for Dawson's trip.
Dawson, who first held her head down as the charges were read against her today, agreed to waive her right to a hearing. Dawson then got up on the floor and apologized for embarrassing the Senate.
''Please know I hold sacred and respect the integrity of the Senate and its rules,'' she said.
Dawson's reprimand will be placed in the official Senate journal. She was also immediately removed from the Senate Ethics and Election Committee until November 2006.
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© 2005 Herald.com and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.miami.com
Read about it in detail in all of the minor, dinky, small town, entering and leaving sign on the same post papers tomorrow.
You are bad!
Yup, if it was a republican, it would be all over the media and the democrats would already have a commitee formed to see the full extent and how Bush was involved.
She's one of those 21 Florida State Senators that voted NOT to save Terri Schindlers life. I heard her on Web-tv of Senate hearings, and she is still living pre-1862.
I see the resemblance. I do think, however, that Zippy probably understands the meaning of ethics.
Agreed!
This after an aide cautioned her not to solicit money. http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/11370690.htm
Some folks just think the rules only apply to others...and Mandy is just the tip of the ice berg.
This is so . . . . . . . . . . . . I can't say it in polite company.
The Florida Legislature will act NOW with this situation but they REFUSED to act on behalf of Terri Schindler-Schiavo????
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Politics as usual.
Black, female, Democrat. In other words, totally above the law.
It can't be true. A black democrat that doesn't obey the law?
How unusual is that?
Is she the one who had to go through the drug court system after she was caught with illegal drugs?
It might have been some other democrat woman fl politicians.
very true, skin color protects the remaining democrats in FL.
And yet, she is not under arrest and the state keeps paying her salary. What a country!
Yes it is,they did not mention this but she had pain medicine I believe and that she forged the Rx for It. It was not that long ago,she has serious problems that have to be addressed.
But...but...but she APOLOGISED so everything is oky doky. Right? (/sarcasm)
she went through drug court and thus has no record.
It was arranged as quietly as the MSM could burry.
Dawson also broke a Senate rule which requires a senator to maintain the integrity of the office.
LMAO
''Please know I hold sacred and respect the integrity of the Senate and its rules,'' she said.
LMAOROTF
Politicians are soooo funny
What....are you kidding me? There is NOTHING that is going to happen to this woman......after all she is one of the "politically protected" groups and also a member of the "black caucus". Her white colleagues will be scared sh$tless to go after her for fear of being labeled racist.
So why hasn't even one Repub. . come forth, and state the facts, in defense of Delay; who so far; has not broken ANY rules. . .just dealing with prolonged allegations; for which the platter has been readied for his head. . .
Why haven't they just offered the comparisons between what Delay has done vs the rest of the praiseworthy Demrats. . .
It is rediculous that the Demrats continue to attack; all the while covering their own behinds. . .and no one. . .calls them on it.
Worse, and more to the point, they don't even have to cover their backsides. . .
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