Embattled Florida House Speaker Steps Down

Controversy-plagued House Speaker Ray Sansom, R-Destin, stepped down as state House speaker today, replaced by Speaker Pro Tem Larry Cretul, R-Ocala.

In a just released two paragraph statement, Sansom said:

"Effective immediately, I have decided to recuse myself from the exercise of my duties as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Ongoing legal proceedings have temporarily created an inability for me to carry out my responsibilities as Speaker. Under the House rules, during this temporary inability, Speaker pro tempore Larry Cretul will exercise all the duties, powers and prerogatives of Speaker.

"I know Larry will manage the House with distinction and it will be an honor for me to serve under him at this time, until any legal proceedings I face are resolved. The allegations and reports associated with these proceedings have caused my family grave pain and this has prompted my decision. I expect positive outcomes and am confident that when the facts are known, my honesty and integrity will be confirmed. "

Cretul will fill the remainder of Sansom's term, serving as speaker in the coming legislative session and the 2010 session.

Thereafter, the planned succession of House speakers would continue, with Republicans Dean Cannon of Winter Park, followed by Will Weatherford of Wesley Chapel.

Sansom could return to finish his term as speaker if he were vindicated.

In a statement, State Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer said that with the need for the legislature to focus on the economy, "it is important that the Florida Legislature is free from any additional distractions... We support Representative Sansom's decision to temporarily step down from his position as Speaker in order to focus on clearing his name, and we are confident he will do just that."

Gov. Charlie Crist said in a statement, "I respect Speaker Sansom's difficult decision today. There is important work ahead of us in the upcoming session, and I am eager to work with members of the House and Senate to address the challenges facing Floridians."

Rep. Will Snyder, R-Stuart, said he had learned unofficially this morning about the Speaker stepping down.

"At the end of the day it's what's best of the people of Florida, and what's best for the House of Representatives," Snyder said. "This has got to be as difficult a decision as any man or woman could have to make."

Sansom faces ethics complaints and a grand jury investigation over his relationship with Northwest Florida State College and a developer and campaign contributor of his, Jay Odom.

Sansom, as a powerful legislator, channeled tens of millions of extra dollars to the college before accepting an unadvertised job there as vice president for $110,000 a year.

Some of the money he funneled to the college was to pay for an emergency operations training center that looks suspiciously like a hanger Odom wanted for his private jet business.

Questions also loom about a meeting between Sansom and College President Bob Richburg, which was advertised 150 miles away from where it took place.

Word of Sansom's impending resignation leaked out to reporters this morning after Rep. J.C. Planas of Miami became the first House Republican to break ranks with the House leader and call for his resignation.