Charlie Justice v Ray Sansom

Like a lot of Florida Democrats, State Sen. Charlie Justice of  St. Petersburg is not shy about discussing the swirling controversy over Republican House Speaker Ray Sansom getting hired by Northwest Florida State College after funneling millions of dollars to the school.

"It is a distraction to some degree and it makes it harder for us to go back and say, ‘I’m sorry, Florida’s in a tough budget. We had to cut’ when they read about the money that’s spent on other things,’’ Justice said in a Political Connections interview airing on Bay News 9 today at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

But said he sees no problem with himself helping secure millions of dollars to the University of South Florida, where he works as an academic adviser.

“I think the broadest line should be drawn  between those of us …who were working for the university prior to getting elected. If you get elected and you’re a chairman of a committee that funnels money and then you get hired, certainly that doesn’t look as good,’’ he said, adding that his USF funding efforts went through the normal budgetary review, rather being added with little review at the last minute like Sansom’s.

Comments

Nothing to see here, move along. I am Democrat therefore I can do no wrong.

I look at Charlie Rangel as my hero.

Sansom's a crook, and his actions should disqualify him from leading the state's budget decisions.

It's sad that the only politicians who have the backbone to speak against Ransom Sansom are Democrats. The future speakers and other GOP house members are cowards who have shown themselves to be without principles. They're pathetic.

Sansom stole the money by inserting it at the last minute and having staff deceive the Speaker about its existence... that is the story and that the difference between the Sansom appropriation and all of the rest.

I agree with Justice. Sansom is a slime of a different color and needs to be removed like the cancer he is.

Let me say this again...HE BUILT A SIX MILLION DOLLAR HANGAR WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS FOR A MILLIONAIRRE CRONY OF HIS TO PARK HIS G**DA** JET! And not one Republican member outside of Rachel Burgin has said the first thing.

He should possibly be in jail, probably not be in the legislature, and undoubtedly not be Speaker.

It's going to take a true leader to make a move and take this fraud down. Cannon and Weatherford don't have the testicular fortitude. It's going to have to be someone from Sansom's class.

[Action, not words]

First, there is a huge difference between being elected while you already have a university position and appearing to sell the millions in pork in return for a $110K college position, which is little different than Blagojovich. Agree with 10:29 AM, the airplane hanger looks criminal.
I suggest all who care email the Gov. and demand appointment of a Special Statewide Prosecutor to investigate the entire Sansom matter and consider new legislation banning the new hiring of any legislator after being elected and for 5 years following leaving the elected post.
Crist at CCristjr@tampabay.rr.com or Charlie.Crist@myflorida.gov

Spin Justice.......spin! You are a do nothing for our area and you have the nerve to point a finger when you are doing the exact same thing?? C. Justice YOU SHOULD RESIGN! SHAME ON YOU! (notice I do not call him Charlie. Justice uses it because our Governor is so popular and he has made the word "Charlie" a positive)

[action, not words]

There is a huge difference between someone employed by a college who then gets elected and someone who is an elected official and then is bought by a college. I suggest all who care about this sordid mess email the Governor and request appointment of a statewide special prosecutor to examine all of this. Perhaps after Sansom is forced out some new legislation to prohibit hiring an elected official while in office and for 5 years following departure from elected office.
CCristjr@tampabay.rr.com or Charlie.Crist@myflorida.gov

Don't forget, e-mail the state worker who made it all possible.

Mike Hansen
karenmoul@aol.com

11:01 you are full of it!!! Spin!! Your a D and trying to hang an R for the same thing Justice has done!! Stupid idiot!! Find something to hang your hat on that can really make a difference. Bozo!

Sansom, Hanson and Ward have to answer for their crimes.

Didn't Curtis Richardson work for the same university while he was a seated member?

Why not go after the guy who started it all, Frank Brogan? But don't forget Askew, Graham or John Mills. How about TK, Harry Dopilus, or Marco Rubio? But when you think about it, most university professors are left wing lefties who have no grasp of the real world. So maybe all of these political thieves bring some sense of reality to the colleges campus. After all, elected officials are entitled to the spoils of office.

12:04 = Right Wing Freak

[saintpetersblog]

In that interview, did Senator Justice say he likes Rick Kriseman (among others) in the mayor's race? I didn't hear a qualifier...just wondering if Senator Justice knows something about Rep. Kriseman running.

[Kevin]

Leave CJ alone! After all, while Floridians were (and still are) losing their homes due to con artist bankers, lowlife insurance companies, and dirtbag lobbyists… CJ priority (for the people) was to make damn sure he could run for higher office on our dime!

Now that’s called “Doing my best for me…errr, I mean you!”

[Sansom Hypocrit and Corrupt]

Sansom is from the party which has listed on its web site under Principles: "I believe ..sound money management should be our goal."
Sansom cautioned fellow Republicans in November that there would be no pork because of the tight budget this year (except pork that would benefit himself, apparently). Sansom is from the party which complains about the cost of welfare but has allowed Sansom to create his own welfare plan with OUR MONEY, wasting miillions in the process.

[Kevin]

Kriseman!... the only thing bigger than his ego is his ever-expanding wasteline. Allthough he is a DINO tool for Mel and Co.

Don't forget Mike H - Senator. Isn't he on the U of F payroll now for $75K?

[TRUE BLUE]

Is there a difference between an employee of a college BEFORE being elected to the legislature(and NOT taking his college salary when the legislature is in session)ie. Sen. Charlie Justice and a state house member being hired by a college AFTER he directed millons of tax dollars secretly to that college ie. Rep. Ray Sansom??? Common sense says "YES!"

Common sense also says there is a difference between a logical and objective observer... and a clueless lackey like True (as if) Blue!

There's a sale on underwear at Walmart!

[JD]

This crap happens at every level. Hell, Cutler dropped a sweet payoff… errr… deal on KTW at St. Pete College. Talk about double-dipping!

Justice is no different than Sansom.Elected officials should not be permitted to be employed by groups who benefit from legislative funding.

Justice is a joke to suggest his case is any different from Sansom's. Then again what should we expect from a guy who takes illegal contributions like Justice.

[PBS]

Do you think Political Connections will ever have anyone of substance on? It’s just the same ol’ shallow, self-serving, scripted, superficial stooges that bloviate to the malleable and mindless morons.

I mean, I was excited when they started… but it’s become a video version of the St. Pete Enquire.

Here’s a softball Mr/Ms Empty Suite…

…Thank you Al… Blah, blah, blah, self-serving rhetoric, puke, puke, puke…

Here’s an even softer ball for ya, Mr./Mrs. Empty Suite…

…Why thank you Adam/Joni… Blah, blah, blah, more self-serving rhetoric, puke, puke, puke…

We’d like to thank our guests for coming, now to the weather desk for an update!

[WTSP]

A better title for it would be Politically Disconnected!

I'm pretty all of this is Rivera's fault. I don't know why, but most threads seem to end up at that conclusion.

[Follow the money]

People should chase the dollars. Millionaire dollars are all over Okaloosa and Walton counties. Five million dollar parks being built in private developments, no show jobs for politicos, it is pathetic was is going on up here, this is only getting headlines because of a tight budget and it is affecting what is left for the south florida politicos to take for their use.

1:33 Why are you all over Rivera all the time? A little green? We always know when it is you blogging. It makes you look really stupid!

by the way, any thought who 1:33 is? I would love to call them out!!

Probably David Custin. He has daggers for Rivera. Unlike myself, who thinks Rivera to be the most thought-provoking and handsome legislator in the Florida House. Sex appeal and brains - a lethal combination. What an amazing individual!

Look the press is finally becoming bi partisan in their attacks, how about that the democrats have been digging into the taxpayers pockets or perhaps more simply they are just representing their constituients and doing their jobs....

The lefties must be angry, I am sure they will call for Adama Smith to resign immediately becaus ehe must be taking money from republicans.

This campaign by the lefties to distract voters and lawmakers has failed, Sansom will stay and go on to become a great speaker for all of Florida. Everyone up there knows he is a good and decent man who cares about Florida.

The Republicans will act to reduce the budget, the democrats will talk, the republicans will lead with an open budget process, the democrats will demand more hearings, the republicans will make the tough choices, the democrats will ask the low income to accept higher taxes on cigarettes, the democrats will whine and the republicans will continue to win!

The Republicons will act to pad the budget, the democrats will not, the republicons will lead the way to a public restroom with a fist full of twenties, the democrats will demand more hearings on their perverted behavior, the republicons will make the tough choices (ie: Page or male Dancer), the democrats will ask the corporate theives to accept fairer taxes on cigarette boats, the democrats will seek solutions and the republicons will seek to steea or taxes!

So basically... it's bidness as usual!

The wrongies must be angry, I am sure they will call for v-gra and STD medicine to be included in Obama's health Plan.

... and Adam Smith is a clueless simp.

Hansen knows what he did, which is probably why he posted at 11:30. It's confirmed Sansom went against Rubio on this and used Ward (current Clerk) and Hansen (current chief of staff) to accomplish his sinister plan.

Wonder how the great conservative would respond to a member subverting his iron fist during the next two years. Methinks not too kindly.

Ray Sansom -- resign he must.

Alex, it is time to connect the dots on the way the Sansom money got into the budget. It is a story of greed, corruption and deceit on the part of the Speaker-Designate, the Chief of Staff to the Speaker and the House Budget Director.

Everyone of those criminals in Tallytown are guilty of the same thing... they just haven't been caught yet you pinheads!

Show me a Floriduuuuh politician – at any level – and I’ll show you a corrupt immoral reprobate.

That’s why this state is but a few years from total collapse.

[Young American]

Florida has the government it deserves.

More on the scandal
http://spacecoastpolitics.com/2009/01/04/odom-sansom/

DANG, that spacecoast story tells it like it is!!!

Watch for the lefties to start protesting next week as laqwmakers start making tough decisions about cutting state workers. The republicans will downsize and will send to Charlie a plan to eliminate state workers and reduce the size of state government.

Hold on a minute, the Obama team is getting all committed liberals in sync with " we are the world" as he works to unite americans and move to the center. You gotta love this the liberals got one of their own elected and the first order of business is bring in Rick Warren, I am an Obama Americans.....yes we can!

[Disgusted R]

Now it all makes sense. Time for the Statewide Prosecutor. We knew it all along.

So will Tally democrats be working or getting ready to head to Washington DC for the multi million dollar bash that Obama and his Chicago hit team have organized? I am sure that they will be relishing the thought of lavish liberal get togethers and holding hands with fellow members of the Obama nation while they sing their unity song.

IT'S TIME TO VOTE OUT CHARLIE JUSTICE