Watchdog Group: Florida Most ‘Corrupt’ State

June 7, 2012

Florida may be the nation’s fourth most populous state but it leads the nation in the number of federal corruption convictions, a dubious honor that could be easily remedied, a government watchdog group said Wednesday.

Based on U.S. Department of Justice data, Florida led the nation in the number of convictions between 2000 and 2010, according to data compiled by Integrity Florida, a non-profit research group founded earlier this year by former Florida Chamber spokesman Dan Krasner and former Common Cause Florida executive director Ben Wilcox.

“We’re number one for our beaches,” Krasner said. “We’re number one for our sunshine, but it’s time we dust off our government in the sunshine laws and once again become number one in the world for government in the sunshine and open government.”

The data, which includes only federally initiated cases, shows that Florida had 781 convictions for various corruption charges for the 10-year period ending in 2010. Florida was followed by California (753), Texas (741) and New York (670.)

Most of the federal corruption cases involve local officials, who by their sheer numbers represent the largest segment of public officials.

The group outlined a series of changes that could be done within existing law while also calling on state lawmakers to make some changes in state statutes to put more teeth in anti-corruption laws.

Florida law does not allow the Commission on Ethics to initiate its own investigations, a restriction groups like Common Cause and others have tried, unsuccessfully, to change for years.
Last year, the commission acted on 169 complaints that were deemed to be valid. The group said even high profile cases are out of reach unless someone files a formal complaint.

“It’s like having speeding limits but no officers on the beat to catch speeders when they break the law,” Krasner said.

The Ethics Commission plans to meet next week to map out its 2013 Legislative agenda.

Among a list of recommendations, Integrity Florida said state lawmakers should give the commission more police powers while also raising the cap on allowable fines from $10,000 to $25,000.

The commission itself has asked for such powers in the past, suggesting it be allowed to initiate cases. Two years ago the commission also asked for a higher fine limit of $100,000.

Also in 2010, a statewide grand jury slammed Florida laws for being too lax on corruption, and made a number of suggestions, most of which were never implemented. Then-Gov. Charlie Crist called for that grand jury investigation in 2009 following a string of high profile arrests of public officials and political figures. He noted at the time that he had been forced to remove 33 public officials from office in less than three years as governor because of varying instances of wrongdoing.

Integrity Florida is also calling on lawmakers to expand the scope of state ethics laws to include private vendors who benefit from their relationships with public officials. Current law, Krasner said, only addresses one side of the transaction.

Other recommendations include garnishing wages from public employees who are fined and putting financial disclosures, Commission findings and investigations on line.

By The News Service of Florida

Comments

5 Responses to “Watchdog Group: Florida Most ‘Corrupt’ State”

  1. WXYZ on June 9th, 2012 9:27 am

    It’s always nice to be Number 1 at something………………

  2. David Huie Green on June 8th, 2012 12:55 pm

    REGARDING:
    “Florida law does not allow the Commission on Ethics to initiate its own investigations, a restriction groups like Common Cause and others have tried, unsuccessfully, to change for years.
    Last year, the commission acted on 169 complaints that were deemed to be valid. The group said even high profile cases are out of reach unless someone files a formal complaint.”

    As if this is REALLY a problem.

    “Hey, Fred, I suspect the Bonkabonk County Commissioner is taking kickbacks from the Twinkies Corporation. How about filing a formal complaint for me so my commission can investigate him.”
    “Sure thing, Barney.”

    David seeing solutions

  3. JM on June 8th, 2012 8:15 am

    Corruption in Government in this STATE. REALLY …..That’s the whole problem with AMERICA TODAY, it is not just the people who run THIS STATE or the
    hand shake deals for big bucks that goes on, it’s the corrupt nature of
    70 percent of the people you meet today and the WAY THEY ALSO do
    BUSINESS all over this COUNTRY. AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL!
    Those words used to also mean OUR PEOPLE ALSO, but now my family find it hard to deal with people on any level more and more every day.

    WHERE ARE OUR MINDS, HEARTS AND VALUES? WHERE DID WE
    GO….AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL?

  4. Mnon on June 7th, 2012 9:25 am

    And this is surprising why? Tell natives of Florida something they don’t know watchdog group.

  5. Kathy on June 7th, 2012 6:27 am

    Well there you go, number one in corruption.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News