THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Sansom committee set for next week
Oct 1, 2009
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA published this article on September 30, 2009
Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said the committee investigating the conduct of former House Speaker Ray Sansom will be meeting next week when lawmakers are in town, despite a delay in the criminal proceedings against the Destin Republican.
The committee hopes to assign an independent counsel to gather and present all of the information to the committee in the near future. It has held off on holding a hearing against Sanson because his criminal trial is not slated until late October.
Sansom has been charged with official misconduct and perjury in the case related to the use of state funds at Northwest Florida State College, an institution that gave Sansom a job after he steered millions of dollars to the college in a tough budget year.
Separately, an Odessa resident filed a complaint with the Florida House saying that her respect for the Legislature had been diminished by Sansom’s actions. Galvano and his committee are investigating the complaint and will ultimately decide whether to dismiss it or render a punishment on Sansom. This could range anywhere from a slap on the wrist to expulsion from the Florida House.