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House committee to hire independent counsel for Sansom case

Associated Press file photo

Sansom faces trial on charges of trading state appropriations for a $110,000-a-year job at Northwest Florida State College.

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By CATHERINE DOLINSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 4, 2009

Updated: 08/04/2009 11:27 am

TALLAHASSEE - A special House panel investigating allegations of misconduct by former House Speaker Ray Sansom decided this morning to hire an independent counsel to marshal the evidence – but not until after Sansom's criminal trial starts Sept. 29.

Sansom, of Destin, has denied all allegations that he traded state appropriations for a job at Northwest Florida State College and abused his position to help campaign donor Jay Odom build an airplane hangar. The former House speaker, who stepped down from his leadership post early this year, faces a court trial as well as investigations by the House and state Commission on Ethics.

Sansom had asked the House committee to suspend its investigation until the criminal proceedings have finished. The lawmakers decided to wait until after the start of the trial before choosing an independent counsel to handle and present the evidence before the panel, but not to place the proceedings on hold until the trial is over.

Committee chairman Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said the committee will revisit its decision if the judge in Sansom's trial grants a continuance on Sept. 29. The panel plans to meet next during the regularly scheduled committee week of Oct. 5 to select the independent counselor.

Catherine Dolinski can be reached at (850) 222-8382.

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