Category: Ethics

Nov 24, 2014 6:17 AM

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Not yet sworn in, Curbelo facing FEC’s questions about campaign finances

By Francisco Alvarado
BrowardBulldog.org
After running a campaign promising to restore public trust and integrity to the seat he won on Election Day this month, Congressman-elect Carlos Curbelo is already drawing scrutiny from federal regulators.
Jul 21, 2014 6:09 AM

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Gov. Scott had stake in pipeline firm whose $3 billion venture he and his appointees backed

By Dan Christensen
BrowardBulldog.org
Shortly after Gov. Rick Scott was elected, a Florida Power & Light executive on his transition team pitched the idea of building a major new natural gas pipeline. Last year, Scott signed bills to speed up permitting for the project and the Public Service Commission approved its construction. Not known at the time: Scott owned a stake in the company that will build the $3 billion pipeline.
Jun 10, 2014 6:07 AM

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Federal judge: ‘Bullying’ by Florida JQC threatens independence of state judges

By Dan Christensen
BrowardBulldog.org
In unusual public criticism, a South Florida federal judge has accused the state’s Judicial Qualifications Commission of “bullying” that threatens the independence of the state’s judges.
May 14, 2014 11:57 AM

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In support of Gov. Askew’s legacy of open government, ex-aide challenges Florida’s blind trust law at Supreme Court

By Dan Christensen
BrowardBulldog.org
The former chief of staff for the late Gov. Reubin Askew filed an emergency petition at the Florida Supreme Court Wednesday challenging the legality of the state’s 2013 blind trust law.
May 8, 2014 5:59 AM

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Lobbyists at water districts must register and disclose under new ethics bill

By Dan Christensen
BrowardBulldog.org
Lobbyists hired to influence spending and policy at Florida’s five water management districts must register and disclose their clients under ethics reforms unanimously passed by the Legislature last week. If signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, the bill would for the first time apply state lobbying regulations to some special-purpose governments that raise and spend hundreds of millions dollars every year.
Apr 2, 2014 6:01 AM

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Gov. Scott’s blind trust deviates from U.S. model; Florida law omits federal safeguards

By Dan Christensen
BrowardBulldog.org
When Florida’s Commission on Ethics OK’d Gov. Rick Scott’s blind trust last September it acted after being told by the governor’s lawyers that it was “modeled on the blind trust of the federal Office of Government Ethics.” But the governor’s blind trust – packed with more than $70 million in Scott’s stocks, bonds and other financial assets – deviates substantially from the federal model.