Valentino Cleared In Political Contribution Case

August 15, 2010

A judge dismissed a misdemeanor campaign solicitation charge against incumbent District 2 Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino.

Okaloosa County Judge Jim Ward said Saturday he was dismissing a charge of  the solicitation of a political contribution in a building owned by a governmental agency. Valentino was accused of accepting a campaign donation at his county office from Pensacola developer Dan Gilmore on November 5, 2009. If tried and convicted, the commissioner could have faced up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

“We can now get back to the work of the people, without distraction. This event shows that the charges against me were baseless, without merit, and politically motivated. I am grateful for the public’s ongoing and uncompromising support,” Valentino said in a released statement Saturday afternoon.

Valentino is being challenged in the August 24 Republican primary by three others –  Florida Rep. Dave Murzin,  former Planning Board member Karen Sindel and former embattled County Administrator George Touart.

Comments

4 Responses to “Valentino Cleared In Political Contribution Case”

  1. sarah on August 17th, 2010 7:28 pm

    Get this clown out of office – he blames everyone else for all of his issues and never takes any responsibility. He should be ashamed and if we re-elect him, we get what we deserve!

  2. goforit on August 15th, 2010 6:38 pm

    yay

  3. Bob on August 15th, 2010 7:07 am

    Only in Escambia County. One thing for sure he doesn’t have my uncompromising support, because I remember how many times bad decisions have been made in the last four years. I hope the good people in District 2 does not forget. They all need replacing as they come up for re-election.

  4. escambiamom on August 15th, 2010 1:02 am

    The charges were probably politically motivated. Just like the emails that said you wanted to replace White and Robinson on the BCC. I hate the politics, guys!

    Yes, let’s get back to the work of the people and let’s leave all talk of political campaign support for after hours, please! (Even references to *future* solicitations of help and money, thank you.)
    It just looks bad even if it is not illegal.

    9 more days until the primary is over … I guess we can make it.