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PAC Members Broke Rules, State Finds

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 6, 2007

Updated: 12/05/2007 09:45 pm

PORT RICHEY - The Florida Elections Commission has found probable cause that two members of a now-defunct political action committee violated numerous campaign laws in the run-up to the 2006 municipal elections.
Steve Johnston and Robert Goluba, founders of Port Richey Citizens for Lower Taxes, were found guilty of four counts each by the commission Nov. 14. The results of that closed-door meeting were released this week.

Under state law, Goluba and Johnston are entitled to file an appeal to the nine-member elections commission to challenge the finding of probable cause. Both men face up to $1,000 in fines for each violation.

Johnston, a radiologist, and Goluba, a dentist, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Their attorney, Mark Herron of Tallahassee, did not return a phone call.

Previously, both defendants contended they did nothing wrong.

"They have the right to file an appeal or they could just settle the matter and pay the fines," FEC spokesman Malcolm Chellman said. "A lot of people tend to do that."

The PAC, which for several years advocated dissolving the waterfront city of 3,200, disbanded after last spring's elections in which Johnston lost a mayoral bid.

The 14-count FEC complaint was filed by part-time city employee Samuel Patrick Mullican. It alleged that Johnston and Goluba failed to report PAC contributions to the state in a timely manner and filed inaccurate reports, among other accusations.

For three years, Port Richey Citizens for Lower Taxes pushed the city council to hold a referendum asking residents whether they supported dissolving their government.

The group argued that city residents pay more in property taxes and for water, cable and other services than do people living in unincorporated Pasco County. The answer, Citizens for Lower Taxes said, was to disband the city government and to become unincorporated.

In the 2006 elections, the group supported a drive to oust three incumbent council members by raising money and support for a trio of challengers the committee thought backed the cause. Voters responded with the biggest election upset in Port Richey's 82-year history.

The newly elected council members, however, backed away from campaign pledges to support dissolution. One year later, members of the political action committee ran for office.

Johnston campaigned on a pro-dissolution platform against Richard Rober, while Mark Hashim, also a PAC member, ran against three-term council incumbent Phyllis Grae.

Hashim, an anesthesiologist, won by 11 votes. Johnston lost by 56.

Voters also rejected a nonbinding referendum on dissolution by 55 percent. If the straw poll had been approved, it would have set into motion the process of disbandment.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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