'Slap on the wrist' rejected by ethics panel

For many years, the Florida Commission on Ethics has endured criticism as a "toothless tiger" that doles out mild punishment for serious violations of the public trust. But developments Friday suggest that may be a thing of the past.

In a case involving a prominent South Florida politician, the panel rejected a proposal to slap a $1,000 fine on Broward County Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin for voting to approve applications for county grants written by her husband, Richard Rubin, on behalf of the city of Southwest Ranches.

The panel voted to increase the fine to $15,000.

"A thousand dollars sounds to me like a slap on the wrist," said ethics commission member Charles Lydecker. "There's a price to pay for a breach of ethical conduct."

He said the public would weigh the amount of the fine against what Wasserman-Rubin's husband earned from the grants. "People look at it (the fine) and say, 'Think of the money they must have made.'^"

"She is a role model in the county,'" said Albert Massey, the ethics panel's chairman, himself a Broward resident. "She has got to adhere to a very high standard... It's too light a penalty for someone with her experience and otherwise good reputation."

Wasserman-Rubin's lawyer, Mark Herron, said the commissioner voted for the grants on the advice of a county attorney and that, as she said in a sworn deposition, she did not know her husband stood to get bonuses of $15,000 if the grants were approved. "Not in her wildest dreams" did Wasserman-Rubin know that her vote stood to benefit her husband's business, and she has no role whatsoever in her husband's company.

"His business is here. Her business is there," Herron testified.

Even the ethics panel's newest member, Roy Rogers, a long-time personal friend of Wasserman-Rubin and her husband, agreed with the majority that the penalty was not harsh enough. The rejection came despite the strong recommendation of the advocate, or prosecutor, James Peterson, that it was fair to both sides.

But Peterson heard the bigger message, loud and clear. "I can hear from the commission's statements that we're going to look for money in these settlements," Peterson said. "I hear you. You want me to come in with higher amounts on these."

Wasserman-Rubin is a political fixture in Broward County. She is a former member of the Broward School Board, and in 2006 her name was floated as a possible running mate for Jim Davis, the Democratic candidate for governor.

Comments

Toothless tiger? A toothless tiger would make a better Ethics Commission. This Commission is a total joke and we all know it. It has constantly pushed aside real ethics violators. This Commission does what it is told. We have no Ethics in our state politics.

[Reality]

The penalty for any person holding public office, who engages in the sort of “obvious” breach of ethical conduct, should be immediate and unequivocal removal from office.

A 1000, 5000, or even 10,000 dollar fine is nothing to someone who can recoup that with a swipe of a pen… only next time, do a better job at hiding it.

This is unacceptable; and she should be publicly humiliated and escorted, by law enforcement, out of “The People’s” office… regardless of her name.

Only then; can we truly say we are a democracy of, by, and for the people. Only then; will be able to head down the road of restoring honor, duty, and trust to public service.

Reality - you are sooo right!!

So why don't we strt with re-opening the investigations into the money dealings and police interference of that crook Eggeletion.

And what about the County Attorney whom she claims advised her that she could vote on the measure? Is there no 'slap on the wrist' for bad legal advice?

[Joker]

The ethics panel itself is corrupt and unethical. They too are a joke, tied into lobbyists, lawyers and special interests. That's precisely why they are considered "toothless," more like spineless.

[terminator]

another crooked politician from "God's Country".

must be something in the water down there!

remember, these are the same local government officials crying about potential tax cuts.

time to clean house on the Broward County Commission.

... don't stop in Broward... clean the whole damn neighborhood of houses.

I’m sorry if this is a stupid question. But is this a “good ol’ gal” situation with Wasserman-shults connections?

[Nicolas A]

Where's the jail time??????

Nicolas Adjuder
nic@thepoorarenottrying.net
ThePoorAreNotTrying.net
Author of The Poor Are Not Trying

The comission is waiting to slam Jim(I don't pay taxes) Smith, and his willing helpers like Pam.

LAW Girl

[Paul D. Harvill]

The Florida Commission on Ethics is in the correct turning lane.