Sheriff morris arrested, suspended by gov. Crist

Wow..............


Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris has been arrested on federal theft-bribery charges and suspended by Governor Charlie Crist.

Edward M. Spooner has been appointed as interim sheriff. Spooner is from Quincy, Fla. He served as president of the Florida Police Chief's Association in 1989-90 and was the "under sheriff", or chief deputy, of the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office until losing election for sheriiff in 2004.

Morris was chosen as the 2009 president of the Florida's Sheriff's Association.

Read the arrest warrant, Gov. Crist's suspension, and the appointment of Morris' replacement.

Morris faces charges of theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, wire fraud, deprivation of rights to honest services, engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity and conspiracy to commit the aforementioned offenses.

The Sheriff's Office Administrative offices were closed Friday, according to a woman who answered the office's phone. She would not say whether the offices were closed by order of federal authorities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the agency reported to have brought the charges.

Governor Crist spokesman Sterling Ivey said the arrest occurred Friday morning and the governor's office issued its notice of suspension after learning of the arrest.

Ivey referred questions about the specifics of the charges against Morris to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Amy Hunt at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Pensacola said a press release would be issued. She could provide no information beyond that.
Sheriff Charlie Morris arrested, suspended by Governor Crist | morris, charlie, sheriff - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

 

Wonder if Sansom and Odom are involved?

 

The tip of the iceberg

 

That is an interesting thought. Didn't Sheriff Morris write a letter to the editor in support of Sansom when this all started

 

Trust and respect

And people wonder why I don't have much trust or respect for anyone in governement!!!!!! A uniform does not make a Sheriff!!!!!!!!

 

While I understand and respect what you are saying, please don't paint all government employees and anyone in any kind of a uniform with such a broad brush. It is grossly unfair.

 

Ok, let's say I don't respect or trust too many government people that had to be voted in! And all \I said about the uniform was that Morris's uniform didn't make him a Sheriff!

 

wow! national attention! between this, sansom's corrupt activities, the interpol investigation of the child porn ring based here, the guy who crashed his jet to fake his death. i think we have the makings for a great new tourism marketing concept.

hey lawmakers! stay our beach house after you put our locals in the big house!
only have public funds to spend? no worries! we launder money!

 

...let's not forget about execs from ST JOE slithering through the Halls of Congress lobbying for the closure of VPS; and the "Screw You, We're Going To Build This Damn US 331 Ourselves Whether You Like it or Not LLC" letter to the Commissioners.

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From the affidavit, it sounds likely that a number of officers are going to end up on charges as well. I would not be surprised if there were many more involved in the money transfers than Confidential Witnesses #1-5.

 

no kidding!

how's this for a slogan?
"big time corruption, small town feel"
big bribes- we mean discounts- for federal agents, CIA, FBI, IRS, FDLE, FAA, FCC, NTSB & more!


beats "the beach"

 

This is only a personal observation. Morris was arrested in Vegas. He is accused of stealing funds among other things. Maybe a gambling problem?

I know I was amazed when I received the email from The Gov's office this morning.....

 

...or stick with the old Florida Slogan: "A Sunny Place for Shady People"

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The Beach: A Sunny Place for Shady People--kinda matches that prison garb orange doesn't it?

 

oh snap!

 

The Bribe (TM)

 

Wouldn't you love to have all of the "potential" shady info on all southern sherrifs. I'll bet you could write a thousand books.

 

If Carl Hiaasen suddenly shows up in the area for a 'book signing' be very suspicous.

 

Victor Silvestri has just published a massive book on the Sheriff's of Florida. It would be a good reference for any research. It is available at the Book Store in downtown DeFuniak Springs. Hope he has some book signings in SoWal. It is pricey, but something worth noting.