Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWow. Miami Herald says Rick Scott's FDLE scandal "Too smelly to ignore"
Too smelly to ignoreADMISSION: Gov. Rick Scott, at a public Cabinet meeting at the Florida State Fair in Tampa last week, said that he mishandled the dismissal of the states top cop. AP
The Florida Constitution (Article IV, Section 4) is unmistakably clear on the issue of who runs the states police department: The governor as chair, the chief financial officer, the attorney general, and the commissioner of agriculture shall constitute the agency head of the Department of Law Enforcement.
Notwithstanding these plain words in the states basic document, Gov. Scott on Dec. 16 sent one of his minions to inform FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey, a respected, longtime law-enforcement officer, that he must either resign or be fired, no reason given.
After Mr. Bailey chose to resign, the governor disingenuously informed the other members of the Cabinet Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam that Mr. Bailey had simply turned in his badge. That cleared the way for Mr. Scott to install Rick Swearingen as Mr. Baileys replacement without anyone else being considered.
There's been no doubt it was a forced resignation. This is what Gerald Bailey heard from Scott's office
An unsuspecting Bailey said that Scott's general counsel, Pete Antonacci, arrived at his office on a Tuesday morning and told him: "We've known each other a long time, and this is not my idea. You've got two choices: resign or retire, and do it before 5 o'clock."
More from the Herald:
Understandably, the Republican-controlled body is reluctant to investigate a Republican governor, but surely lawmakers realize that public integrity, open government and law enforcement free of political control are not partisan issues. The scandal is too smelly to ignore, and the sooner officials in Tallahassee realize that, the better off Florida will be.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
11 replies, 2014 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (30)
ReplyReply to this post
11 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Wow. Miami Herald says Rick Scott's FDLE scandal "Too smelly to ignore" (Original Post)
madfloridian
Feb 2015
OP
Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)1. That is one creepy guy.
Lint Head
(15,064 posts)2. Once a hardened criminal always a hardened criminal.
This prick committed fraud against Medicare for millions an got away with it. He can go to hell.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)11. He seems to get away with most everything.
Hopefully since a few of his own have come out against him, things may change. Fingers crossed.
alcina
(602 posts)3. What a great campaign slogan
Rick Scott -- Too Smelly To Ignore
valerief
(53,235 posts)5. Floridaman couldn't do any worse as governor than Smelly Scott. nt
William769
(55,148 posts)7. Kick & highly recommended.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)9. I really love the editorial subject line.
Esp. coming from the Herald.
Blue Owl
(50,513 posts)8. Batboy did a bad, bad thing
n/t
ND-Dem
(4,571 posts)10. from your lips to god's ears; hope he goes down hard.