The legal process will determine if Brian Blair violated state ethics laws. But there is little question the Hillsborough commissioner demonstrated poor judgment by chastising environmental regulators at their meeting with a business owner contesting a fine.
Now a local resident has filed a state ethics complaint against Blair and the Florida Commission on Ethics will investigate.
Blair intruded in a December meeting between Bill Stanton, owner of Mothers Organics, a yard-waste disposal firm, and the staff of the Environmental Protection Commission. Stanton had failed to obtain a required county permit and was meeting with EPC officials to negotiate the fine.
Blair, who sought to eliminate county wetlands protections last year, claims he was only trying to help a constituent.
But according to reports of the meeting, he expressed his anger at the EPC and indicated he would pursue the matter.
The company ended up making an $18,000 donation, rather than paying a penalty that had originally been calculated at $60,000.
EPC officials say Blair's involvement did not affect the outcome.
Nevertheless, the appearances are troubling and Blair has only his clumsy meddling to blame for finding himself in ethical hot water.
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