Ex-Florida GOP Chairman Indicted on Charges of Grand Theft, Money Laundering; Arrested
June 2nd, 2010Just another day at the office.
Via: Orlando Sentinel:
Jim Greer, the former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida who has been under criminal investigation for his financial handling of the organization, was indicted on six charges including money laundering and grand theft, state officials announced today.
Greer was arrested by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents this morning at his Oviedo home about 9:15 a.m. and booked into the Seminole County jail about 45 minutes later.
At a lunchtime press conference in Orlando, Statewide Prosecutor William Shepherd said Greer developed a scheme to take money from the Republican Party through a shell company he created, Victory Strategies. He used the money for his personal expenses — at least $100,000, Shepherd said.
A statewide grand jury indicted Greer on six felony charges: organized scheme to defraud, money laundering, and four counts of grand theft.
Greer was forced to resign in January amid allegations of extravagant overspending.
Since then, he’s become the subject of a criminal investigation for income he earned from Victory Strategies LLC, a fund-raising company that kept 10 percent of all major donations it raised for the party. Greer owned a 60-percent stake of the company.
Shepherd also said Greer sent e-mails directing additional party funds to Victory Strategies, “per the chairman.” He did not specify how much.
Greer was backed for the chairmanship job in 2006 by then-Gov. elect Charlie Crist, and an Orlando Sentinel analysis of party spending found Greer dramatically increased spending and the use of American Express charge cards during his three-year tenure.
The high spending, frequent national travel, and Greer’s decision to endorse Crist in his U.S. Senate primary against Marco Rubio ultimately prompted party leaders to seek his ouster.
But it was only after Greer announced his resignation that details of a secret fundraising contract came to light.
The contract for Victory Strategies to take over major donor fundraising was withheld from top GOP finance officials. It led Attorney General Bill McCollum and legislative leaders to dismiss former party executive director Delmar Johnson and hand over documentation of the contract and payments to Greer to state investigators in March.
Asked about Greer’s arrest at an unrelated press conference this morning, Crist said: “I think it’s obviously disappointing and surprising. I have faith in our judicial system.”
