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State Attorney To Investigate Complaints Against House Speaker

The Associated Press

Ray Sansom channeled tens of millions of dollars to Northwest Florida State College and then accepted an unadvertised vice presidency there for $110,000 a year.

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By CATHERINE DOLINSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 26, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - The state attorney in Tallahassee will investigate complaints about House Speaker Ray Sansom, a grand jury decided today.

State Attorney Willie Meggs presented two citizen complaints about Sansom to the grand jury in closed proceedings this morning.

Meggs said both complaints – one from a local resident and one from southern Florida – were based on media reports about the House speaker. For more than a month, Sansom has taken a shelling from media outlets around the state for channeling tens of millions of extra dollars to Northwest Florida State College and then accepting an exclusive, unadvertised vice presidency there for $110,000 a year.

Questions also loom about a meeting between Sansom and college President Bob Richburg, which was advertised 150 miles away from where it took place. There also is the matter of the $6 million airplane hangar that Sansom reportedly slipped into the budget to the benefit of developer and campaign contributor Jay Odom.

Meggs said the grand jury will look into both "the job and the aircraft hangar, primarily." He would not elaborate further, owing to the secrecy that legally enshrouds the grand jury process.

The state attorney characterized the next step as "fact gathering." The grand jury will meet again next month, he said. Meanwhile, Meggs will decide on witnesses and documents for investigation.

"We will make decisions about subpoenas," he said. "Subpoenas have impact. We may issue invitations to people."

In a statement today, Sansom said he has "acted honestly in all matters, including in my work as a state legislator."

"The complaints are based on news articles, not personal knowledge of the facts," he said. "Once the facts are fully aired, I expect the outcome of this inquiry will be positive. I will cooperate fully and look forward to a speedy conclusion."

Sansom gave up the college post at the start of this month's special legislative session, saying he felt he owed it to the House to put an end to the distracting controversy. But the storm has continued, with ethics complaints filed against him, inquiries by the state's Attorney General and Meggs' presentation to the grand jury.

Also today, House Rules Chairman Bill Galvano in Bradenton said he has asked House Speaker Pro Tem Larry Cretul to appoint a special investigator to look into a complaint about Sansom.

Galvano said the complainant, Odessa resident Susan Smith, made a sufficient case that public allegations about Sansom have damaged her faith in the House. Smith based her complaints on House rules requiring members to "perform at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and independence of the House and of the Legislature."

Galvano said the parts of Smith's complaint alleging quid pro quos fell short of the Legislature's bar for investigation because they were based on media reports rather than personal knowledge.

Typically, Galvano said, a panel of lawmakers would likely be asked at this point to consider the complaint. He is asking Cretul for a special investigator "because of the unique nature of the claim; because it is about the House speaker."

Cretul could not be reached for comment.

Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached at (850) 222-8382 or cdolinski@tampatrib.com.

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