County To Pay Former Admin. Touart’s Legal Bills Over Ethics Complaint Filed By Walnut Hill Man

March 6, 2009

Escambia County will pay thousands of dollars in legal fees for former Escambia County Administrator George Touart in connection with an ethics complaint filed in part by a Walnut Hill man.

The Escambia County Commission voted 3-2 Thursday night to pay the $3,629.60 Touart spent defending himself against the ethics complain. Marie White and Kevin White voted against paying the bills, while Grover Robinson, Gene Valentino and Wilson Robinson in favor.

County Attorney Alison Rogers had recommended that the commission deny the request because it did not meet reimbursement criteria. Rogers said the complaint was related to Touart’s private business, not county business.

georgetuart11.jpgAfter Touart resigned in September 2007, an ethics complain was filed against him by Preston Solomon of Walnut Hill and Michael Coonan of Pensacola. The complaint was dismissed by the state’s ethics commission.

The ethics complained alleged  that Touart was linked to company that was contracted to remove post-hurricane debris in the county. There were also allegations that Touart’s wife was improperly hired by the county.

“The defense of complaints filed by Preston Solomon and Michael Coonan with the State of Florida Commission on Ethics by former County Administrator George Touart does not meet either statutory or common law criteria for reimbursement of legal fees and costs by Mr. Touart,” Rogers said in a letter presented to commissioners.

White said he decided to vote against paying the bill, saying that he felt the county should follow the advice of its attorney.

Comments

3 Responses to “County To Pay Former Admin. Touart’s Legal Bills Over Ethics Complaint Filed By Walnut Hill Man”

  1. Century girl on March 7th, 2009 5:53 pm

    I am sure the only reason Kevin White voted against …was he could safely do so and look good so to speak…bet it would of been different had his vote been a tie-breaking vote.

  2. Homosapien on March 6th, 2009 1:46 pm

    Take note of who voted against the attorney and gave away your tax money. Also take note of who didnt. Thank you Mr White and Mrs. Young.

  3. psu1earl on March 6th, 2009 9:31 am

    He’ll be back for more money too…wait and see…as long as they keep giving in, he will keep coming back…next up retirement…if they haven’t already given that to him and I missed it…I guess Mr. Solomon and Mr. Coonan’s taxes will go to pay for Touart’s legal bills…nothing like adding insult to injury…thanks BOCC for sticking us with a bill we did not need to pay…

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News