Precourt firm has financial link to CSX project

After a deadly train collision last year, state Rep. Steve Precourt went on the offensive. He wrote an op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel that said the "tragic event in California should not obscure the fact that rail transit remains a far safer mode of travel than the automobile."

Precourt used the piece to make an ardent pitch for the CSX commuter rail project in Florida. "Providing transportation alternatives to the entire state is vital to our economy and the health of our communities," he wrote.

But what the Orlando Republican did not reveal is that the engineering firm that bears his family name has received $1.7-million from the state to do survey and mapping work for the controversial CSX project in Central Florida. Nor did Precourt disclose his ties when he voted for the deal last session, as some other lawmakers have when their public and private interests appeared to overlap.

Now, CSX is back under the SunRail moniker, and a fight is brewing -- one that will shine more light on advocates like Precourt. On a broader level, Precourt’s situation illustrates the line citizen lawmakers walk as they navigate their day jobs and legislative duties.

Precourt said he does not have a conflict.

He said he sold his interest in the Dyer, Riddle, Mills and Precourt engineering firm before the 2008 session and therefore did not have to file a conflict disclosure before voting on the project.

The proposal calls for CSX to sell 61.5 miles of tracks to the state and got moving Tuesday in the Senate, despite fierce opposition from Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland.

“I have no idea of the status of any of DRMP’s contracts, as I am not employed by them nor have any interests or control in the firm,” Precourt wrote in response to questions from the Times/Herald.

Precourt, first elected in 2006, said he left the firm after "it became clear that I would better serve my constituents by focusing on the Legislature. And DRMP needed someone full time in the position I had." (He started a consulting firm, Precourt Solutions, in May 2008.)

But Precourt acknowledged that he occasionally assists Dyer, Riddle, Mills and Precourt on "miscellaneous stuff for continuity sake, given my 20 years with the firm" and that he has a small contract that pays him for his time.

Records also show that after the 2008 session he was still being identified as a vice president of Dyer, Riddle, Mills and Precourt. He is listed on the company’s 2009 annual report. And letterhead dated May 29, 2008, lists him as a principal.

In fall 2006, the firm secured a $784,936 subcontract with the Department of Transportation to perform survey and mapping of the CSX property the state wants to buy. Subsequent documents show the firm eventually got a contract worth $1.7 million.

Don Barton, a DRMP vice president, said he did not know why Precourt's name was on the annual report. He said Precourt still does some consulting work but is "no longer with us."

Dockery said she was unaware of Precourt's past work history and could not comment. But she said the questions his situation raise demonstrate a need for clearer disclosure in potential conflict-of-interest cases.

"I can sense among the voters in the state of Florida and nationally that they have the lowest level of confidence and respect for elected officials. We need to be good examples of ethical behavior," Dockery said.

-- Alex Leary

Comments

Precourt's aide is hot.

Disclosure is no good if the discloser is dishonest. Their need to be criminal penalties for ethics violations. Otherwise they are toothless.

Is Precourt's aide a man or a women?

This link ain't nothing compared to the millions that JD Alexander is going to make.

Another Repiggie at the trough!

This deal never stops with the dirt: Jeb, J.D., Marty Bowen and now Precourt. It is unbelievable. Let's give a private company a free ride on liability and pay them $641 million to get on board. Amazing.

Until we achieve the separation of state and big business, the corruption will continue.

wow. google is pretty cool.

Train champion gets support from wife

C. C. Dockery pitched his vision for Florida's bullet train to a House committee that includes his wife, Paula. She will sponsor the train's legislation.
By DIANE RADO

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 8, 2001

I never noticed Senator Paula Dockery until today. She is amazing and so smart. What happened to the other Republicans? Why did they all vote with that liberal Larcenia Bullard from Miami?

The Dockerys are obsessed with that damned bullet train.

[terminator]

another crooked legislator out to line his own pockets?
do these guys ever quit?

ask about Greers trip to Vegas after his election. Who paid? come clean fat boy!

Greer is being paid by csx. no doubt. Dig deep spt!

Oink, oink, oink, repiggies at the trough...
For a party that hates government, the repiggies sure do love the heck out of government. Is Precourt another "values" voter?

Speaking of "values" voters, here is a little tidbit on Senator David Vitter, the repiggie from Louisiana and diaper buff extraordinaire:

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/04/vitter-planned-parenthood/

9:09 think again. In 2001 Dockery's husband spent millions to get high speed rail and failed.

[Rays Fan]

It's ironic that Dockery and Joyner have enlisted the help of Ax the Tax leader Doug Guetzloe. When Mayor Iorio tries to pass a sales tax increase next year, will Guetzloe fight it, or does he only oppose taxes when someone is paying him?

Perception people... its all about perception... Mr. Precourt - you could have easily received an opinion clearing you to vote and speak on the issue and this would not be an issue today...

What say you fellow bloggers... this person was elected in 2006 and "brought up" under the tutelage of Sansom... should we give him a break?

The eminent repiggie, Senator Vitter, reminds all of us that if a man is going to have sex with a prostitute while wearing diapers and indulging in particular fantasies related to such "apparel," then he should not wear a condom.

Thanks again, repiggies, for the invaluable ideas and policy that will restore this nation to greatness.

shocker Precourt's firm is making money and Cannon's old law firm is the hired gun....Does anybody pay attention around here before its to late?

While we're at it, how about some research on Democrat votes that precede union contributions? Oh, and all the Demos whose relatives prosper from their legislative position?

If we're going to go down this avenue, why not look on both sides of the road instead of just one?

9:21

Are you kidding me? Dockery has teamed up with Doug Guetzloe?

The anti-union stuff has been all over FoxNews. At least one of our posters here is a rabid fan of FoxNews.

[james]

sad... the rail project will get sidetracked by what may be inappropriate behavior...
isn't the problem that we have underpaid, term-limited legislators? Yup, we get what we pay for - low pay equals low interest in doing the peoples business.

Uh, if by "teaming up," you mean showing up at the same meeting attended by dozens of other people.

It's absolutely amazing how blantantly arrogant these so called leaders are. This thing reeks of conflict from this guy,JD Alexander, right on down. I'm totally baffled as to why the people of this state haven't gotten the pitchforks out. I think after this year everyone will have had enough. We can only hope.

Another legistlator, JD Alexander also has a lot to gain from this deal. He purchased Phoenix Industries (Ware houseing with track frontage)in Winter Haven that has a "special" relationship with CSX just weeks before the vote. He didn't disclose that either. Then there's the development firm he is in business with that is set to make big bucks from the new ILC. Then there's the transportation firm he just bought on Thompson Nursery road just down the road from the new ILC. I can totally see him recusing himself this time...NOT.

Kreegel's aide is hot, too with his sexy red hair and burly self.

Senator Joyner is my senator. Don't try to make her look bad because she questions things and wants what's best for her people. It's amazing how someone will read an article about a bad senator and try to throw a good one under the bus.

Hot aides :

Manny Chica
Scott Laster
Manny Cid

I'm suggesting a photo directory of aides for future ref.

2:53, your Senator just killed Tampa's light rail project.

10:56, Great reasoning champ. Don't you remember your mama telling you two wrongs never make it right. Were not talking about Democrats here. Were talking about the same crooks that have been pushing this issue from the start. The same ones that control the legislature,and the most important commitees. The same ones that have been riding the conservative values mantra of the republican party to pursue their own greed. There's plenty of slime on the Democrat side of politics as well, however this one seems to be a private Republican party.

Thibault, that's a great idea but I don't think there is enough room in the budget. if the Ethics Commission started wit Precourt and Alexander, i'm sure it will lead to enough to keep them busy for the next ten years. I can't believe someone hasn't filed already!

Schools are getting wiped out, social services are getting wiped out and still the CSX corruption machine lurches on like a mindless Zombie sucking up all the taxpayers money. Can't anyone help?

while were at lets not forget they managed to get Atwater to stack the deck for them in the Senate:

transportation chair- check
judiciary chair- check

nice move sliding an Orlando member in as the chair of the committee that held up the bill last year. Holy cow.

4:34, Don't forget Alexander!

Can someone please explain why Paula Dockery wants to defeat it now but she wanted the rail system years ago?

I'm confused on this one

5:42, The bullet train was actually about moving people. This clusterf&#* is about corporate welfare,taxpayer funded freight, and lining the pockets of some well placed people. Does that peel your banana for you?

[j]

right you are
This CFR project is more about getting the freight rail out of Orlando and through Lakeland instead.
The passengers rail will NOT serve all of Central Florida, only Orlando and its suburbs.

The public is not going to stand for this type of self-dealing from politicians pushing the CSX deal. Let's get it all out in the open for a change, and thank you Paula Dockery for doing a great job in trying to shine some light on this deal.

[Mr. H]

Ok people lets get everything out! I'm an resident of the Sundance Ranch Estates & alot of people are missing a few facts here! For starters, theres the Chain of Lakes elementary school less than 2 miles from the CSX project coming right up next to Sundance Ranch Estates where we'll lose value of our properties & homes! I gather we aren't worried about the children's health if there is a spill! I believe Senator Paula Dockery is doing a damn good job and picky at past issues is just childless. Everybody is entitled to look into an issue more seriously and see that some issues out weigh other facts! "People do your homework" see what this project is going to do to Polk county's enviroment,healthy waterlines,our aire and traffic.