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House will continue inquiry into Sansom

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By CATHERINE DOLINSKI

cdolinski@tampatrib.com

Published: November 6, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - A House panel rejected a request Thursday from former Speaker Ray Sansom that it suspend its investigation into his conduct while criminal charges against him are still pending.

The panel is responding to a citizen complaint about Sansom's handling of state appropriations and whether his actions violated House rules of conduct.

Sansom, R-Destin, is accused of abusing his position as budget chairman to steer millions of dollars to Northwest Florida State College, which then offered him a $110,000-a-year job. He has also been accused of hiding the true purpose of the appropriation, which would benefit a political donor.
Sansom faces criminal charges stemming from the same matter. A circuit judge dismissed an official misconduct charge against him last month, but State Attorney Willie Meggs has appealed that decision, and a perjury charge against Sansom is still pending.

Sansom's lawyers asked the House in writing to defer its ethics investigation until the court case has been resolved.

Thursday, attorney Richard Coates addressed the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct on Sansom's behalf, asking that the panel's members "not look at this in a vacuum."

Melanie Hines, independent counsel to the panel, said there is no constitutional requirement that civil or administrative proceedings be delayed pending the outcome of a parallel criminal case. The House panel has seven months in which to reach a finding, Hines said, and "if we wait for the appellate court to decide this case ... we may well be beyond where this committee and the full House can act, and it would moot out this complaint before you, without your ever having been able to address it."

Committee Chairman Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said he did not think at this point that going forward would "demonstrably prejudice substantial rights of the investigated party," a standard established by legal precedent.

The panel voted unanimously to continue its investigation. A hearing is scheduled the week of Jan. 25.
Sansom gave up the job at the Niceville college and House speaker role when the accusations and controversy began mounting. He remains a member of the House.

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

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