Show LeMieux the money

Shortly before Gov. Charlie Crist's former chief of staff left government to return to his old law firm, the firm landed a $500,000 contract with the state Transportation Department. George LeMieux, whom Crist nicknamed "the maestro" for his role in the governor's 2006 victory, said he played no role in the state's decision to hire his firm.

The agency confirmed that and said LeMieux's firm, Gunster Yoakley, was selected because of the expertise of a partner in railroad law. The one-year contract seeks the firm's advice as the state pursues purchase of the Florida East Coast Railroad, a key corridor bisecting heavily congested South Florida.

The contract is one of two assignments LeMieux has secured since leaving Crist's administration last month. He's also now a paid consultant, expected to earn about $10,000 a month, to state Republican Party chairman Jim Greer, meaning that LeMieux will continue to play a strategic role in the 2008 presidential election and beyond.

Full story here.

Comments

Why does the state of Florida need to buy the corridor from the Florida East Coast railroad? Maybe to start a spaghetti farm?

[lisa]

a spaghetti farm sounds good.its better than the current situation on the highways, chaos.

chaos=FDOT

[the question to ask]

is LeMieux granted credit for this new business and how much will his bonus be for doing so.

Oh my, it must be nice to be an insider!

Too bad that regular state employees are THE LEAST PAID IN THE NATION and are slowly slipping in to poverty.

The STATE can afford such GENEROUS CONTRACTS but it can't afford to pay those who actually do the work for the state a living wage.

Is the corridor through south Florida really suitable for future commuter trains? Would numbers of commuters justify purchase by state? Why not let private rail company operate it? What happens to cargo and defense needs?

I think it is funny to here Greer say that George has a history of winning elections, well yes, one election. He is not the mastermind everyone thinks he is, he just is not the hard core republican. He does not deserve the 10K per month that he is getting from the party. I for one will not give the GOP anymore money if they are going to waste it like this.

[$500 per hour]

those are ny rates. there are equally qualified law firms at half that price. how much will the associates do the work and then they will price it as if the partner does the work. and does gorge get credit for the work and get a percentage. that would be corroupt, i think if he does.

How can the RPOF justify paying Lemieux $10K a month when I can guarantee you he won't be doing 10 minutes of REAL work a week ?

Well Greer just lost the Support of a RPOF State Committee member , I liked The Chairman and thought he was doing a great job, but if he's going to spend our money on things like this, then Im done. The State Party hates Crist, the only thing holding it together was Chairman Greer , but this will cost him support within. Fire Lemeuix today.

WOW, The endorsment of McCain and now this, Greer be a Man, everyone says you really are in Charge at the Party, so tell CC and George NO!, You are the only hope of saving the Party in Florida. I cant believe whats Happening to the Republican Party in Fl. This will be bad when it becomes public in the RPOF . You have done Great things as Chair and will get a second term and maybe more, but not like this.

How nice that George didn't leave his state employment before he could help out his new employer!!!!!

Anyone else would be under criminal investigation.

[Rochefoucauld]

This is I always give money directly to the candidate and never to the party. The party will inevitably squander it on overpriced political hacks who dwell too long at the trough!

what is happening in HD 32?

George is smart enough to do things the right way and still be successful. he doesn't need to cheat and he doesn't. I know it is hard for some of you who aren't as successful to believe, but some people can get ahead by just working hard and being talented. Congrats George and I hope you are juts getting started.

[terminator]

I heard Shane may share similar tendencies with CC.
What do you expect for a guy from Wilton Manors?
Boy this Broward group is an incestuous bunch!

Really? And some people are just very "luck" that they can direct huge contracts to the very law firm they're going back to.

Wow!! The "luck" of some people.

Really? And some people are just very "lucky" that they can direct huge contracts to the very law firm they're going back to.

Wow!! The "luck" of some people.

George is smart - and he is MUCH more Charlie's man than even Greer. I know, that sounds hard to believe. But it is true. George's chief job in RPOF will be to:

1) solidify Charlie's control of the Party so he can use it as a springboard to the higher office we all know he craves; and

2) enforce Party discipline with the sweeping powers of 537. DISSENTERS BEWARE, the reign of King Charles I is about to begin.

George Lemieux, Shane Strum, Paul Sallarulo & Ed Pozzuoli: a tight little group from Broward out to fleece the state, feather their nests and protect each other. And now they will have the power, prestige and treasury of RPOF with which to do it.

Come on, Termie! Shane's "tendencies" are the least of it. How about the shady dealings that got covered up at the North Broward Hospital District - Sallarulo, Dorsey (they did ditch him), etc. Don't tell me you don't know anything about that!

George and Greer get along just fine, Lemeiux would never have gotten a RPOF contract if they did not. I know Greer and the day anyone starts thinking there running the party instead of Greer it will be a sad day for them, Crist and the boys know Greer is the key to keeping the Party in line , piss off Greer and its all down hill. But I still dont think Greer should have given George a deal like this.

[Change is Good]

Is it true that Arlene is the state Director for the McCain campaign? if so what are they thinking, shes hated by everyone in the political world. I heard she already was acting like the Queen bee around the RPOF and the Chairman put her in her place. Some Rpof staff they are leaveing if she's in the mix.

Yes Arlene is the State Director for McCain. This means that if you have ever said hello to Tom Gallagher in the past 10 years you will be excluded from volunteering.

[TG supporter who can't get a job because of Arlene]

I'm hoping and praying for McCain to select Charlie Crist as his Veep. This would clear Arlene and co. out of the State and maybe I could earn a paycheck once again.

Question, If Arlene is now McCain state director what happens to her position as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Govs Office. She is still listed as such. Does this means she is out of the Govs office for good and they will replace her? or will it stay in a holding pattern as a leave of absense type role. Any insiders know whats happening there?

12:11
Still waiting to see if media picks up on the no contest plea to solicitation charge by Dist 32 Repub candidate (Sean Campbell).
Campbell will do a good job following in the footsteps of the former Dist 32 Repub, Bob Allen.
I am sure the voters will be thrilled to know they are getting another hypocritical GOP Christian Coalition do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do legislator.

What? Shane married Alexis in October, and I don't view her as his 'beard.'

Well,Well looks like Arlene is the talk again, She's not going back to EOG because no one can stand her in the office. Seems Greer reminded her that the Crist team is the the priority and Crist and Greer are running things not her. If McCain puts her in charge of Florida God help them! When will Crist and Greer see Arlene for what she is ,A disruptive ,backstabing and disloyal person.

Arlene is taking a leave of absence in April, then going on full time with McCain as Florida director.

Oh wow!!! How nice that the state piggy bank is being used to benefit this man - after all why would children, the handicapped, the elderly need state help - we must help the realy needy - the SENIOR MANAGEMENT types who get SPECIAL BENEFITS and MAKE THE MOST MONEY in order that they can GENERATE THOSE CONTRACTS AND DIRECT THEM TO THEIR FUTURE EMPLOYERS!!!

While, on the other hand, STATE EMPLOYEES ARE THE LEAST PAID IN THE NATION and WHOSE SALARIES WILL DECREASE THIS YEAR. But good for you George - paid that bank account - after all what you do is more important than the child abuse investigator, the attorney who goes after the license of the nursing home who hires felons or the counselor who works with problemed children.

4:07 you sound very knowlegeable. Do you know who is in the running to replace Arlene in the EOG.

3:09.... The fine Republican nominee Sean Campbell has a traffic citation entitled "Solicitation without a Permit" that has a $ 65.00 fine. Doesn't sound too salacious to me. Dem's better be careful not to waste 50K in this race much like they did in HD 101 where now Republican Rep. Matt Hudson was victorious. Bet your donors will be upset if you do waste any more of their money.

No I do not, but she will be back to the EOG by December.

4:49
Solicitation- wasn't that what the "fine" Republican current Rep. Bob Allen in Dist 32 busted for? How much was his "fine"? Bet your voters will be upset if they waste their votes on another "family values" Republican.

3:40,

Shane's new wife got george a big new contract before he left the governor's office?

And shane got a promotion to look after george's business while he's gone?

3:09.... The fine Republican nominee Sean Campbell has a traffic citation entitled "Solicitation without a Permit" that has a $ 65.00 fine. Doesn't sound too salacious to me. Dem's better be careful not to waste 50K in this race much like they did in HD 101 where now Republican Rep. Matt Hudson was victorious. Bet your donors will be upset if you do waste any more of their money.

Okay, Steve, pay attention and see if you can connect the dots. I'll elaborate on the comment posted by 5:56...

George Lemieux, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, engineered the hiring of Shane Strum as a deputy chief of staff just as George is leaving government resulting in a pay raise and big promotion.

Fast forward a few weeks...

Shane’s WIFE, Alexis Yarbrough, who is general counsel at the Department of Transportation, hired George’s firm at $500 an hour — WITHOUT A BID. This is a very, very high hourly rate for legal work.

Doesn't take a rocket scientist...

Where is Lucy Morgan when you need her?

[Tampa Bay Ray]

Dear Mr. Bosquet:

Is this what hard-hitting journalism looks like when you have a crush on the subject of your article?

Did it ever occur to you to ask more than just softball questions? Did it?

How about, "Hey Mrs. DOT General Counsel, show me some other no-bid contracts where you pay a $500 an hour legal fee. Oh, there aren't any? Then why begin with this firm?

And by the way Mrs. DOT General Counsel, aren’t you married to the guy that George just promoted when he was leaving state government? Don’t you see that as a bit of a conflict of interest?

Oh, and another thing, who contacted you, Mrs. DOT General Counsel, from George’s law firm? It was George? And when George emailed you, was he engaged in unregistered lobbying or just unethically soliciting business? Take your time before you answer — I'm in no rush."

And by the way, Mr. Bosquet, how’s your quest to get George’s little public record, I mean personal notebook. You know, the one he wrote on state time? I guess it would be considered distasteful to ask him again for a copy. Have you given up on that one, too?

So what if these "special contracts" go to "special people?" No one in this administration or the Legislature cares about abused children, troubled children, the elderly, or the handicapped. After all we all know it is more important for them to hire your friends at $10,000 a month and look good for your close up rather than pay living wages to the people who do the real work and are THE LEAST PAID IN THE NATION.

Political patronage rules under the Crist administration!!!!!

FYI, Shane and George and Alexis were all friends before CC got elected--George probably placed them at DOT and DMS. Believe me, it doesn't make any difference that Shane got moved over to the Governor's Office, other than perhaps he can be more helpful to George from there than DMS.

Why buy a private law firm's 'expertise' in railroad law when DOT has John Bottcher?

George please stop making it all about you. The office is in capable hands and Charlie is actually up to the job. Whats the 10k a month for? I guess its to give advise like dont help Mccain help Mitt so I can be Jim Baker. What a joke.

Has Florida politics and state government always been this dirty. It seems worse than usual but perhaps I was just naive.

Speaking of dirty, what is Dist 32 State Rep Bob Allen going to do for a living after the special election? Will the Rep candidate for the seat Sean Campbell hire him as his assistant? They do share a hankering for "solicitation".

7:30
State politics (in every state), and at the national level have always been this dirty.
The only difference is that since the advent of the cyberspace highway, things are talked about a lot more, and in real time.
When we lived in MD, we had to be registered Dems. to get a liqour license.

Ask not what George can do for you.

Ask what you can do for George.

Where is the press' outrage? If any of the former jebbites had done this the press peeps would have spun their heads off.

7:05
Ray, it looks like no one responded? Steve B., Lucy M., Alex L., Joni J.? Where are you on this story or do you not consider this news? What's wrong with you?

this is pathetic