FL GOP buys oranges from El Paso?
The Republican Party of Florida's latest expense report includes some curious out-of-state expenses: $72.51 to an orange grove in El Paso, Texas and $1,954 for tuxedo rentals from a shop near Los Angeles.
Democratic party officials wondered if the oranges were the ones that Gov. Charlie Crist promised to Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell in a friendly wager when the Tampa Bay Rays played the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. The Rays lost.
After declining to comment to our sister blog on two expenditures questioned by the Florida Democratic Party, RPOF spokeswoman Erin Van Sickle later said the oranges did not come from Texas, nor did nearly $2,000 in tuxedo rentals come from California.
She writes: "Upon reviewing the expense report, we realized the oranges in question were bought right here in Florida. (in Lake Alfred, Polk County, to be exact.) Our data entry staffer inadvertently made a mistake when entering the address, resulting in an expense that appeared to be from Texas. We will be filing an amended report to reflect this revision.
"The tuxedo rentals that appeared to be rented in California were rented online for an event, but not in California -- that is just where PayPal is located, and PayPal processed the expense, just like it would if you or I purchased something online.
"We appreciate the Florida Democrat Party bringing the mistake to our attention. We hope they continue to focus on our blog, our website, our emails, and our reports. In the meantime, Republicans will focus on getting Florida's economy back on track and helping families and businesses."
--Beth Reinhard, Miami Herald
From the writers of the St. Petersburg Times, The Buzz offers the latest news in Florida politics. This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the St. Petersburg Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.
Why would the RPOF spend $2,000 tuxedo rentals? Did they pay for Crist's wedding party?
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Greer is a fool. ewe
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Even more foolish is the party that re-elected him as chair.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Who's lying this time? the expense reports or Erin?
Posted by: Rodney | January 13, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Freaking priceless!
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Didn't these clowns learn any lessons from the 2008 electoral debacle?
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 07:35 PM
"Republicans will focus on getting Florida's economy back on track and helping families and businesses."
Some Republicans may in fact do just as Erin says. It is doubtful, however, whether the RPOF staff will be able to tear themselves away from their self congratulatory parties.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Demar you are a fat pig. Keep bloging against Charlies friends you fat moron. Drunk, fat and stupid is no way to go thru life. Its on chubby.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Greer you and you white shoe wearing sleaze of a wife are such a joke. Dont you hear all the folks at RPOF events laughing at you, come on. I'm sure everyone wants to hear you sing. You are such a fool. Charlie makes fun of you all the time. Please just shut up.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 09:44 PM
I saw Delmar and his retarded cousin blogging in Orlando drunk with power? Delmar? Charlie is fit and does not like drama. How do you think he is feeling seeing your sweaty fat lard rump day in day out Clean it up fast so the big boys dont notice you are still around.
you are done fatty.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Arlene is far better then any of these fools left at the party. please give me a break. Who else are you gonna run off Jimmy?
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Aside from all this petty nonsense and infighting,the bottom line is I will never, ever give another penny to the republican party.
Posted by: former republican contributor | January 13, 2009 at 11:13 PM
it's not wise to give them money, they WASTE it like it's going out of style. Especially the house with good old Sansom, who on a trip to NYC not too long ago had to stay in the trendiest hotel he could find, no matter what the cost, BEFORE he was even speaker (not that that matters).
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 11:26 PM
What is Kirk gonna do now?
Posted by: | January 14, 2009 at 08:28 AM
"Republicans will focus on getting Florida's economy back on track and helping families and businesses."
That's a pretty smug comment from the party that ruined our economy in the first place.
Posted by: | January 14, 2009 at 08:40 AM
Someone should ask Gov. Ed Rendell where the postmark on the oranges came from...
Or call the grove in Texas and find out if they shipped oranges to Gov. Ed Rendell...
Or wait for the Republican Party to submit the Amex statements as required by law with the next required report after the statements are received...
Posted by: | January 14, 2009 at 09:02 AM
"Our data entry staffer inadvertently made a mistake.." Again? Yeah, right. I suggest they hire more experienced data entry staff.
Who wore the tuxedos? What event?
It's cheaper to buy a tux than rent:
Men's Wearhouse: Tux jacket = $169.99,
Tux pants = $79.99, Tux shirt = $39.99,
Bow tie/cummerbund = $23.99, patent shoes = $79.99. And for Greer & Delmar, Tux braces = $27.99.
What happened to the calls for an audit of the RPOF expenses?
Posted by: | January 14, 2009 at 09:05 AM
Delmar get those super bowl tixs yet?
Posted by: | January 14, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Nice coverup Erin but we see thru it.
Posted by: | January 14, 2009 at 10:52 AM