Scott Brannon pleads guilty to multiple ethics violations
August 5, 2008 - 4:20PM
TALLAHASSEE -- Republican Walton County Commissioner Scott Brannon plead guilty to multiple Florida State Constitution ethics violations and agreed to a fine in a plea arrangement with the Florida Ethics Commission. The 17 Count Complaint filed in September 2007 by a Walton County citizen highlighted discrepancies concerning his Full and Public Financial Disclosures in 2003, 2005, and 2006. The Commission found probable cause and began an investigation.
After a preliminary investigation the Ethics Commission Investigators agreed with the Complainant allegations on virtually every violation listed in the complaint. The Commissions Report is now available to the public made possible by the recent guilty plea arrangement.
In his investigative report Ethics Commission Investigator K. Travis Wade said, (Brannon) 'acknowledged that he mistakenly failed to report a Certificate of Deposit as an asset on his form. Although calls to the Respondent to determine the value of the CD (Certificate of Deposit) in 2005 were not returned, he valued the CD at $96,571.00 on his 3003 Commission on Ethics Form 6X (amending the 2003 CE Form 1) and as $515,000.00 on his 2006 CE Form 6X (amending his 2006 CE Form 1).'
Wade also said in his report; 'The Respondent (Brannon) advised by telephone that although he reported his ownership in Four Mile Land Company, as an asset, he forgot to report his 50% ownership in Four Mile Land or his 50% ownership in FR Industries as an asset.' All Companies are located in Freeport, FL. The investigators report contains 40 other notes corresponding to the investigation.
The guilty plea arrangement, signed by Commissioner Brannon, must be approved by the full Ethics Commission in a public meeting on Sept. 5, 2008 at the Florida Senate Building in Tallahassee. The Commission must adjudicate the case or continue the investigation.
Brannon retains the right to withdraw the guilty plea should the investigation into his finances continue.
http://www.waltonsun.com/news/ethics_1952___article.html/guilty_multiple.html
Replies
30Beach Lover
Good gravy, forget about the local implications, the IRS is going to be visiting him soon!
Similar to my other post, how do you reach that conclusion. I haven't seen any information relating to IRS problems.
The financial disclosure rules are meant to help find out conflicts of interest, at least that's what I have heard.
Let me be clear, if Comm. Brannon was wrong in his filings, intentionally or not, then that should be a concern. It looks as though his errors was resolved with an amended filing (thanks Aggie for posting the joint stipulation document).
Lets keep to the facts guys. No need to make statements about crimes and tax issues if there is nothing about that involved.
Beach Fanatic
Similar to my other post, how do you reach that conclusion. I haven't seen any information relating to IRS problems.
The financial disclosure rules are meant to help find out conflicts of interest, at least that's what I have heard.
Let me be clear, if Comm. Brannon was wrong in his filings, intentionally or not, then that should be a concern. It looks as though his errors was resolved with an amended filing (thanks Aggie for posting the joint stipulation document).
Lets keep to the facts guys. No need to make statements about crimes and tax issues if there is nothing about that involved.
You have artfully stated what my somewhat failed attempts at a humorous/tougue in cheek response were meant to convey. BRAVO!
Beach Lover
I surrender.
signed,
France:rofl::funn::funn:
Oh I don't know... that quote seems to get the message across.
Beach Crab
We have an ethical practices problem in our county. Deliberate omissions of required disclosure data are not trivial nor are they political. They are surface indicators of a more serious disregard for the law. If a sitting county commissioner can't remember what his assets are, then he is incompetent and should not be representing us. If he can remember those assets but doesn't disclose them, then he is lying and should not be representing us.
The legal document says: "11. Respondent violated Article IL Section 8(a) and (i) of the Florida Constitution.. and Section 112.3144. Florida Statutes. by failing to properly complete his CE Form 6; Full and Public Disclosure of Financial interests, for calendar years 2003 and 200-5 and failing to timely file and properly complete his CE Form 6 for calendar year 2006.
1Z. Respondent admits the allegation as set forth in paragraph four (4) of the Stipulated Findings of Fact, above."
We deserve better from our representatives.
The legal document says: "11. Respondent violated Article IL Section 8(a) and (i) of the Florida Constitution.. and Section 112.3144. Florida Statutes. by failing to properly complete his CE Form 6; Full and Public Disclosure of Financial interests, for calendar years 2003 and 200-5 and failing to timely file and properly complete his CE Form 6 for calendar year 2006.
1Z. Respondent admits the allegation as set forth in paragraph four (4) of the Stipulated Findings of Fact, above."
We deserve better from our representatives.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Agreed
Agreed and well put. Just look at Ralph Johnson and his bumbles. Some of these guys can't even balance/manage their own check books...
I think that voters should hold those who we elect to a higher standard. After all they are responsible for spending money out of our pockets as wisely as they can. And I wanna know that they can do it responsibly. If they can't even manage their political campaign records properly, then who's to say he can manage our millions?
Foggy
Agreed and well put. Just look at Ralph Johnson and his bumbles. Some of these guys can't even balance/manage their own check books...
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